World Cup 2023: England win toss and bowl first in Lucknow; both teams unchanged

England has won the toss and elected to bowl first in Lucknow, sending India to bat first for the first time in this tournament. Jos Buttler and Rohit Sharma announced unchanged playing XIs for this marquee World Cup clash.

Here are the playing XIs of both teams –

India - Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj

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England - Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w/c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

India bat first for the first time in CWC 2023

Having successfully chased five totals in as many contested games in this World Cup edition, India will be batting first for the first time. Admitting to be doing the same had he won the toss, India's captain said,

“We wanted to bat first; we have had a good time batting second. Looks like a good pitch, it's a new surface which has been relayed here. It has played well for the 100 overs.

“I mean it's quite important to think like that, but it's important to get the two points. We have played some good cricket. It's always good to have a break. It's nice to come back here and get back into business. We are playing the same team we played in the last game,” the India captain added.

Meanwhile, a win in Lucknow will seal India’s spot in the CWC semis, becoming the first team to do so, whereas, England would like to spoil their party after being pressed against the wall with four losses thus far.

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The underperforming England side will aim to turn the tables around and push for an unlikely case of reaching the semis.

At the toss, captain Buttler said, “We are going to bowl first today.”

“Not anything in particular, it's a gut decision. It's a great occasion, and hopefully, today we bring our best. Today, we want to put up a good show. We haven't done ourselves justice, today we want to put up a show and play for pride. Playing in front of a full crowd and against India, it's a great occasion. We are going with the same team,” Buttler added.

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