India’s search for answers ahead of 2019 World Cup
MUMBAI: KEY FACTORS FOR OTHER TEAMS
A six-day gap is what India get to adjust to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the cooler climes of England and face a tough Asia Cup without premier batsman and captain Virat Kohli.
For a team that has not even made it to the final of the 50-over competition in last two editions of the Asia Cup, India is set to be pushed to the limits in a hectic tournament under stand-in captain Rohit Sharma.
India won the T20 Asia Cup in 2016 and are placed in Group A with arch rivals Pakistan and Hong Kong, who made it through a six-nation qualifying round. India start their campaign on September 18 against Hong Kong, and face Pakistan the next day.
For India, the Asia Cup carries immense significance. The tournament is the last multi-nation event before the next year’s World Cup in England, providing them an opportunity to test their physical and mental skills apart from finding answers to questions that have lingered on for long.
MIDDLE-ORDER SPOTS
A top-heavy Indian ODI side has faltered several times with an unsettled middle-order, and this will be the team’s greatest quest in the UAE. Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul are the men in contention for the middle-order, with MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya expected to play the finishers’ role.
However, in the absence of Kohli, it also remains to be seen
Without the services of Mohammad Hafeez and all-rounder Imad Wasim, a pace-heavy and unpredictable Pakistan will aim to repeat their performance of 2012 when they won the Asia Cup. Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India and Hong Kong.
With their away series win over West Indies in July, the 2016 runners-up Bangladesh would aim to make it to the finals of this year’s Asia Cup. Their skills and record are best suited for Asian conditions, and Bangladesh will present a tough challenge to other teams.
With a large spin bowling arsenal, Afghanistan will fancy entering second round as they are placed alongside Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group B. Their current form favours the Afghans as they have won their last six out of seven games.
who India entrusts with the No 3 role, with Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan set to be openers.
In-form batsmen Rayudu and Pandey are the frontrunners for the middle-order, whereas Rahul can fit in at No 3 in the absence of Kohli.
PACE BACKUP
The Indian selectors have also declared that a spot for left-arm pacer is up for grabs, and untested 20-year-old Khaleel Ahmed is their latest pick in their effort to round-off their bowling attack.
A surprise selection call indeed, as India had bestowed the role to domestic veteran Jaydev Unadkat for their last home ODI
The absence of Dinesh Chandimal would hurt the Sri Lankans who won the last 50-over Asia Cup in 2013-14. However, the return of Lasith Malinga and red-hot form of captain Angelo Mathews will bolster Sri Lanka who would look to win their sixth title.
Having made it to the main competition from the qualifying round, trumping the hosts UAE, the Asia Cup will provide Hong Kong a huge opportunity to learn playing against the best teams in the sub-continent.
series against Sri Lanka. Once again, Jasprit Bumrah and a fitagain Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who missed the Test series against England, will lead India’s pace attack with Hardik Pandya as the potential third seamer.
SET THE RECORD RIGHT
There are one-day breaks separating games as the tournament progresses, and in case India top the Group A, they will play their Super Four matches on September 21, 23 and 25. The Asia Cup final will be played on September 28.
India last made it to the final of a 50-over Asia Cup in 2010, and hence will have their task cut without their best batsman.