Basking in the glory of team’s recent victories against Pakistan and South Africa, Men in Blue will start afresh against the minnows UAE (United Arab Emirates) at a bouncy pitch (WACA) in Perth this Saturday. The defending champions India are playing exceedingly well in the ongoing Cricket World Cup and will definitely look forward to thrash UAE emphatically.

India vs United Arab Emirates – W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

When UAE will set their feet on the ground they must be aware of team India’s strength and weakness. The spectacular form of Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan would probably be on top of their mind. They will try to dismiss these two batsmen as early as possible.

UAE have played some good cricket in their first two matches against Zimbabwe and Ireland respectively in the tournament. Although, they have lost on both occasions, yet their enthusiasm would be very high when they play at Perth. They have nothing to lose and they will try to play their heart out against India. It is expected that the UAE will once again play superbly in this match as well.

Meanwhile, India’s star pacer Mohammad Shami is set to be rested owing to his mild knee-injury. His absence is a matter of big relief for the inexperienced UAE batsmen. The fast bowler has been most successful in India’s first two clashes against Pakistan and South Africa respectively. He has claimed 6 wickets and bowled in perfect line and length so far.

The Squads for the India vs UAE match (Pool B)

India: MS Dhoni (Capt & WK), Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayadu, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Stuart Binny, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma.

UAE: Mohammad Tauqir (Capt), Krishna Chandran, Khurram Khan, Amjad Ali, Khurram Khan, Andri Berenger, Swapnil Patil (WK), Shaiman Anwar, Rohan Mustafa, Amjad Javed, Manjula Guruge and Mohammad Naveed.

(The respective captains of both sides will choose the final 11 just before the beginning of the match)

The last clash between India and UAE

Both teams have encountered against each other a long time back. On July 16th , 2004 India defeated the UAE at Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka. Batting first India scored 260/6 after 50 overs, but the UAE were dismissed for 144 runs only at the end of 35th over. Rahul Dravid scored a brilliant ton in that match.

India have faced the UAE only twice in the history of ODI and defeated the minnows on both occasions. First, they crushed the UAE at Sharjah in 1994 and then again during Asia Cup a decade later. However, India need to stay cautious from every opponent and keep playing magnificent cricket throughout the tournament.

Tags: Cricket, Cricket World Cup, CWC 2015, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, India, Perth, Shikhar Dhawan, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Virat Kohli, WACA