Independence Day special: World Giants probable lineup against India Maharajas

As part of India’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a special match between India Maharajas and World Giants on September 16 at the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata. The BCCI was asked by the Indian government to organise the match on August 22 initially, however, multiple international fixtures and the start of the Caribbean Premier League meant that most high-profile players were not available.

The match has now been rescheduled to September 16, when Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata will play host to several Indian and overseas cricket greats, who will face off in the game. While the Indian team, India Maharajas, will be led by BCCI president and former captain Sourav Ganguly, the World Giants will be marshalled by former India captain Eoin Morgan.

Also Read: India Maharajas vs World Giants, Independece Day special: Squads, timings and live stream details

Apart from Morgan, the World Giants side will witness several other overseas legends such as Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), Brett Lee (Australia) and Dinesh Ramdin (West Indies).

Since the match was confirmed and announced by the BCCI earlier in August, fans all around the world have become curious about how the World Giants team can line up against India Maharajas. Let’s find out.

Probable World Giants lineup: Sanath Jayasuriya, Jacques Kallis, Dinesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons, Eoin Morgan (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Nathan McCullum, Dale Steyn, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Muttiah Muralitharan

Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya and former South Africa captain Jacques Kallis can be expected to open. Dinesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons can come at first and second down respectively. Eoin Morgan, Jonty Rhodes and Nathan McCullum are likely to make the middle order.

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On the other hand, the team is likely to play two off-spinners in Nathan McCullum and Muttiah Muralitharan. Three fast bowlers in Dale Steyn, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson are likely to be picked for the team.

Full rest of the world squad: Eoin Morgan (captain), Lendl Simmons, Jacques Kallis, Sanath Jayasuriya, Matt Prior, Nathan McCullum, Jonty Rhodes, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dale Steyn, Hamilton Masakadza, Mashrafe Mortaza, Asghar Afghan, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Kevin O’Brien, Dinesh Ramdin