With India, Pakistan and Bangladesh bunched collectively alongside New Zealand, bragging rights are at stake for subcontinent groups
With the ICC Champions Trophy right here, cricket fans worldwide are eager to evaluate the prospects of the eight groups vying for the title. Scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Dubai from Feb 19 to March 9, this version marks the event’s return after an eight-year hiatus.
Beginning with Group A, TOI examines the prospects of every staff, evaluating their property, areas of concern, potential game-changing alternatives, and threats that they have to overcome to carry the trophy.
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INDIA
Strengths: India’s batting line-up is replete with pedigree and energy, that includes stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer add depth to the batting order. The presence of a number of allrounders like Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel supplies steadiness to the facet. Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy make up a potent spin assault.
Weaknesses: The absence of Jasprit Bumrah as a consequence of damage is a setback. With out Bumrah, India’s tempo assault is inexperienced. Mohammed Shami would’ve to do a whole lot of heavy lifting. Issues exist concerning the consistency of Rohit and Virat, although Rohit’s century and Virat’s fifty in opposition to England supply hope.
Alternatives: Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have the platform to ascertain themselves as mainstays. Enjoying all their matches in Dubai could be like a “dwelling benefit” for the Indian staff.
Threats: Key gamers like Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav are coming back from accidents and should face health challenges. India additionally has a historical past of faltering within the knockout phases of ICC tournaments.
PAKISTAN
Strengths: As hosts, Pakistan will profit from acquainted situations and passionate native assist. Led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s quick bowling unit is formidable. With skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha placing wealthy kind just lately, Pakistan’s middle-order boasts of each expertise and expertise.
Weaknesses: Babar Azam hasn’t been in the most effective of kind in recent times. Fakhar Zaman, the opposite opener, is discovering his means again into worldwide cricket. Pakistan’s top-order batting has proven vulnerability below strain. Their fielding is just not nice.
Alternatives: The likes of Salman Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam have the possibility to make a major affect on the worldwide stage.
Threats: Enjoying at dwelling brings immense strain to carry out, which might end in stage-fright. Having only one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed is a dangerous ploy. Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah can bowl too, however they’re at greatest part-timers.
NEW ZEALAND
Strengths: Identified for his or her reliability, constant performers like Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham present stability. A mixture of skilled pacers like Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry in addition to a reliable spin division makes their bowling versatile. New Zealand’s fielding is top-notch.
Weaknesses: Whereas constant, the staff typically lacks gamechanging X-factor gamers who can single-handedly flip matches. Conceding runs within the dying overs has been an space of concern.
Alternatives: Younger skills like Rachin Ravindra, Will O’Rourke and Glenn Phillips have the possibility to shine on an enormous stage. Pitches in Pakistan and UAE might go well with their bowlers, particularly spinners.
Threats: Traditionally, NZ have confronted challenges in high-pressure knockout matches, and which will check them once more. The staff’s depth may very well be examined if senior gamers do not carry their A-game to the event.
BANGLADESH
Strengths: Veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah present a stable spine. Bangladesh’s spinners are their major power. They’re adept at exploiting subcontinental situations and have familiarity with the home-like situations in each Pakistan and Dubai.
Weaknesses: Inconsistency has been a longstanding situation for Bangladesh. The batting line-up is vulnerable to collapses, which impacts their means to chase totals or capitalise on good begins. The tempo assault has traditionally struggled to include rivals on flat tracks. They lack energy hitters within the decrease center order.
Alternatives: Younger skills like Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, and quick bowler Nahid Rana could make a mark in a marquee event. Lack of highlight on them could make them a shock bundle.
Threats: The absence of Shakib Al Hasan raises issues concerning the power of the spin division in addition to the middle-order. Bangladesh misplaced latest ODIs in opposition to Afghanistan and West Indies the place key gamers struggled with kind and consistency.
