Unbeaten India are taking on hosts England in what is also the 100th One Day international clash between the two teams. A win against England would land India in the semifinal for the third straight World Cup edition. Meanwhile the engrossing clash hold a lot at stake for England, who need to win this clash to keep their semis hopes alive.
With Shankar fairing dismally with the bat, registering scores of 15*, 29 and 14 in the tournament, the all-rounder's performance came under the radar.
Kohli confirmed at toss time that Pant has been fielded into the Indian playing eleven owing to an injury that Shankar incurred. "Never a problem.. Love chasing. But honestly, we would have batted first today. We haven't focused on the opposition in this tournament, that's why we have been successful. We do have one change. Vijay Shankar has a toe niggle, Rishabh Pant is in."
The Indian skipper backed the diminutive power hitter to prove his abilities with the willow at Edgbaston where India have a more dominating record than the host nation. "He brings in a lot of fearlessness. He has a small boundary. Once he gets to 20, then it's a different ball game," he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Kohli had firmly put his weight behind Shankar in the pre-match presser which clearly implied that Pant would have to probably wait for his chances.