Ashwin left out for India's Trophy opener

India have left out the world's second-ranked Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin in their highly-anticipated Champions Trophy clash with bitter rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston.

Virat Kohli's side have named just the one spinner in Ravi Jadeja in an XI featuring four pacemen for their first match of the tournament, as Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bowl.

Along with Ashwin, the defending champions have also left out experienced seamer Mohammad Shami.

 

Pakistan left out all-rounder Faheem Ashraf but included 18-year-old leg-spinner Shadab Khan for just his fourth one-day international.

"It is a good pitch and won't change much," said Sarfraz at the toss.

"India-Pakistan is a pressure game, hopefully we play a free game," the wicketkeeper added.

India captain Virat Kohli, who on Saturday denied reports of a rift with coach Anil Kumble, was not too concerned at having to bat first.

"It is a pretty good wicket, it will stay even," he said.

"We need a complete performance to win a game of cricket, today is going to be no different," the star batsman added.

Political interference has restricted India and Pakistan, cricket's biggest rivals, to meeting in a mere nine ODIs this decade, with India winning six to Pakistan's three.

Pakistan, however, have won two of their three Champions Trophy showdowns.

But India were triumphant at Edgbaston on the way to winning the last edition in 2013, beating Pakistan by eight wickets in a rain-affected match.

Before play started, a minute's silence in memory of the victims of Saturday's London terror attacks was impeccably observed by a near capacity crowd.

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

Squads: Every Champions Trophy nation

Schedule

1 June – England beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

2 June – New Zealand v Australia, No Result

3 June – Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by 96 runs

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)