Sri Lanka and Pakistan showings cast a cloud over Asia Cup
NO PAKISTAN, BUT INDIA KNOW BANGLADESH WILL PUT UP A FIGHT
India played Bangladesh the last time in a final in Colombo few months ago in the Nidahas Trophy tri-series and it was a fantastic game of cricket.
Bangladesh lost by four wickets but ended the night with their heads held high. Today, the two sides meet again in the final of the Asia Cup, and this time too, India will be led by Rohit Sharma.
As much as Bangladesh’s resurgence and Afghanistan’s emergence is good news for the game, the quality of cricket displayed by Pakistan and Sri Lanka — the giants of Asia — has left a massive dent in world cricket. It should be a matter of concern the way teams such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the West Indies have stayed below par over such a long period of time and it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel for them in the near future. They have given us stalwarts in the game in the past and it’s important that good heads come together to assess the issues plaguing them.
India have looked unbeatable in this competition. After a shaky start against Hong Kong, they have just got stronger and stronger and will not be easy to beat in the final. Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan have batted exceptionally well and the break they got from not playing in the game against Afghanistan would have done them a world of good in these testing conditions. For Bangladesh to remain in the contest, it will be important to control these two batsmen first before they look at others. Their exceptional form upfront means that the Indian middle-order has not come under much pressure, other than in the game against Afghanistan.
Standout performance
The Indian side will remain unchanged from that which played Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier, and the threat of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will loom over the Bangladeshi batsmen. Both have been exceptional with the ball, especially Bumrah who has been a standout in all formats for India. Which just goes to show that quality adapts itself in all formats of the game.
For Bangladesh to even stay competitive, a good score of around 275 will be required or else India will run away with the game. The loss of Shakib-ul-Haq is a major blow especially with his bowling which helped balance the side. I do feel, however, that his position at No. 3 is a bit too high. Bangladesh have depended on Mushfiqur Rahim to see them through in big games but it cannot be him all the time, especially with the load he takes on as the wicketkeeper. The rest will have to stand up, too.
India vice-captain Shikhar Dhawan isn’t overwhelmed over Asia Cup final not being an India-Pakistan final as expected. Answering to a query from Gulf News during the pre-final news conference on whether the Indian team feel relieved psychologically about not having to meet their arch-rivals Pakistan in the final, Dhawan said: “Everyone thought it was going to be an India-Pakistan in the final but Bangladesh won a great match last night. We can’t take them lightly just because Pakistan is a bigger team. Bangladesh is playing better cricket, there’s a difference between team on paper and who is doing good on the field, that’s how I see it. We’ll carry momentum and give it a best shot, all teams are competitive.”
Dhawan revealed that a close study has been conducted on Bangladesh’s strengths and weaknesses. “I guess they’re balanced, know what their strengths are but they have improved a lot,” he said.
“They’re a competitive side. Hats off to them, the way they played and won against Pakistan. When you play all-round cricket, the results will follow. The plan we made against them in the previous game, we will try and stick to that. Conditions will remain the same, we’ll plan for individuals by looking at videos of their batsmen, revise and prepare accordingly.”
Dhawan also warned that Bangladesh have prepared well for this tournament. “They have nice support staff, they are consistent and are a very good side,” he said.
“Back home (in Bangladesh) they are a good side, tough to beat them at home. They’ve proved it so many times, when overseas teams go there. Actions are stronger than words, they have got better and they are showing it through their performances. They have experienced players, they know their game, they know the strategies well on how to play under pressure. They don’t have the dilemma and pressure of playing against a big team, which is very good for cricket. Even the way Hong Kong played against us, you have to appreciate those teams.”
The India team have handled the heat in Dubai and managed their squad and pressure to reach the final intelligently. “In the previous game, we rested a few to give the other players chance,” said Dhawan. “It was important to give everyone an opportunity, give them long batting stints. It was good there was a lot of entertainment. There is a big difference in weather, thanks to our trainer, we have all trained well, bodies are holding up. We’re all fit, the culture has changed so the improved fitness helps. In North Zone (of India), we’ve played in 40-45 degree temperatures anyway.”
Success mantra
Is the mantle of vice-captaincy an extra pressure for Dhawan? “It is not too much of a load,” he said. “It’s all on the captain. I’m enjoying it. My batting methods remain the same irrespective of positions. I won’t change my success mantra. I’m enjoying my performances. I want to carry on the same consistency.”
Dhawan also said that there is no extra pressure on him and his skipper Rohit Sharma due to the absence of Virat Kohli. “It’s not like there is extra responsibility on us because Virat isn’t there,” he said. “This is the kind of tournament where there was an opportunity to test our middle order and identify combinations and players who can play for the future. Virat isn’t there but me and Rohit are there, we play every game like this is a bilateral series or any big game. It feels good to score runs, everyone thinks about consistency.”