Time is operating out. The Asia Cup, that begins in Multan on Wednesday with Pakistan taking up Nepal, might be the final cease for 5 of the six nations that may also be a part of the World Cup to agency up their remaining 15, if not the taking part in XI, for the quadrennial showpiece.
Whereas Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have performed a little bit of ODI cricket of late, it’s India who’re barely undercooked in terms of the 50-over format.
Importantly, India have to check a couple of 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 crew administration desires 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 essential gamers who haven’t been taking part in for some time as a consequence of accidents. A win of their first match in opposition to Pakistan on Saturday in Pallekele, although, might give the crew somewhat little bit of respiration house to see the perimeter gamers in opposition to Nepal, in all probability the one ‘tender’ sport throughout the course of the 2 weeks. TOI takes a have a look at areas of concern for India throughout 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 harm, gained’t be a part of the Indian crew for the 2 matches. The absence of Rahul within the first two video games considerably adjustments the dynamic of the Indian crew. If Rahul had performed, he would certainly have batted within the No. 5 slot.
Now that he isn’t out there within the first two matches, Ishan Kishan will get the nod. However the Jharkhand participant is extra suited to the opening slot and which will imply that Shubman Gill might have to return right down to No. three and Virat Kohli to 4.
It’s a batting order conundrum that the crew administration would ideally have favored to keep away from so near the World Cup.
“Rohit and Co. appears to have immense religion in Rahul they usually wish to give him as a lot time as attainable to be 100% match 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 harm. The final worldwide match that Iyer had performed was method again in January, and he has to hit the bottom operating. Throughout 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 superb expertise and if there’s a lingering doubt round Rahul and Iyer, he might be very a lot within the equation,” Gandhi mentioned.
JASPRIT BUMRAH’S ODI FITNESS
India’s tempo spearhead has simply returned to worldwide cricket with a few good outings in opposition to Eire earlier this month. However 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 appeared to be bowling at his greatest throughout the quick spells he delivered in Dublin. However the rigours of bowling 10 overs in high-intensity matches in opposition to Pakistan is a totally completely different kettle of fish,” Gandhi mentioned.
The crew suffered immensely final yr after they tried to hurry Bumrah again from an harm earlier than the T20 World Cup in November, resulting in a long-term breakdown. Dravid needs to be immensely cautious in the best way he handles his No. 1 bowling weapon, in order that historical past doesn’t repeat itself.
CAN KULDEEP SEAL THE DEAL?
In latest instances, the chinaman bowler has formed up because the crew administration’s favoured choice for the wrist-spinner’s function. However within the Asia Cup, he might be up in opposition to the perfect 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 the perfect white-ball spinner for India and will have been a part of the World Cup set-up.
