Time is working out. The Asia Cup, that begins in Multan on Wednesday with Pakistan taking over Nepal, might be the final cease for 5 of the six nations that can even be a part of the World Cup to agency up their remaining 15, if not the taking part in XI, for the quadrennial showpiece.
While Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have performed a little bit of ODI cricket of late, it’s India who’re barely undercooked with regards to the 50-over format.
Importantly, India have to check just a few of their immensely essential slots in a match the place they could find yourself taking part in arch-rivals Pakistan thrice in an area of two weeks.
So, even when the group administration needs to deal with the Asia Cup as a laboratory, one failed experiment inflicting poor outcomes might result in a backlash that Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma gained’t be too eager to face so near the World Cup.
That mentioned, India should check out vital gamers who haven’t been taking part in for some time because of accidents. A win of their first match towards Pakistan on Saturday in Pallekele, although, might give the group a little bit little bit of respiration area to see the perimeter gamers towards Nepal, most likely the one ‘soft’ recreation through the course of the 2 weeks. TOI takes a take a look at areas of concern for India through the Asia Cup…
RETURN OF KL RAHUL AND SHREYAS IYER
Coach Dravid introduced on Tuesday in Alur that KL Rahul, who’s recuperating from a thigh damage, gained’t be a part of the Indian group for the 2 matches. The absence of Rahul within the first two video games considerably modifications the dynamic of the Indian group. If Rahul had performed, he would absolutely have batted within the No. 5 slot.
Now that he isn’t accessible within the first two matches, Ishan Kishan will get the nod. But the Jharkhand participant is extra suited to the opening slot and that will imply that Shubman Gill might have to come back right down to No. 3 and Virat Kohli to 4.
It is a batting order conundrum that the group administration would ideally have favored to keep away from so near the World Cup.
“Rohit and Co. seems to have immense faith in Rahul and they want to give him as much time as possible to be 100% fit for the World Cup,” former nationwide selector Devang Gandhi informed TOI.
India’s most well-liked No. 5 Shreyas Iyer, too, is getting back from a protracted lay-off owing to a again damage. The final worldwide match that Iyer had performed was approach again in January, and he has to hit the bottom working. During his absence, Tilak Verma has come up in leaps and bounds and Iyer has to point out that he’s nonetheless the person for the job.
“Tilak is a great talent and if there is a lingering doubt around Rahul and Iyer, he will be very much in the equation,” Gandhi mentioned.
JASPRIT BUMRAH’S ODI FITNESS
India’s tempo spearhead has simply returned to worldwide cricket with a few good outings towards Ireland earlier this month. But that was T20 cricket and the climate was far more agreeable. Bumrah needed to bowl a most of 4 overs and there wasn’t the humidity of the subcontinent to take care of. “Bumrah seemed to be bowling at his best during the short spells he delivered in Dublin. But the rigours of bowling 10 overs in high-intensity matches against Pakistan is a completely different kettle of fish,” Gandhi mentioned.
The group suffered immensely final 12 months once they tried to hurry Bumrah again from an damage earlier than the T20 World Cup in November, resulting in a long-term breakdown. Dravid must be immensely cautious in the way in which he handles his No. 1 bowling weapon, in order that historical past doesn’t repeat itself.
CAN KULDEEP SEAL THE DEAL?
In current instances, the chinaman bowler has formed up because the group administration’s favoured choice for the wrist-spinner’s position. But within the Asia Cup, he shall be up towards one of the best gamers of spin on good batting surfaces. The shadow of Yuzvendra Chahal can be looming, with Harbhajan Singh saying not too long ago that the leggie is one of the best white-ball spinner for India and will have been a part of the World Cup set-up.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com