A Super-4 stage exit in the recently concluded Asia Cup has only created more pressure on the Indian Team after a disappointing Group-stage exit in the previous edition of the T20I World Cup. Among the notable changes from the previous T20I World Cup, the change in the Coach-Captain duo is the major highlight, with Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma taking over the baton from Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli. On expected lines, the Asia Cup did answer a few questions but injuries to key players remain a major concern. With bags packed and tickets booked, Let's go through the Major Issues and Few Question Marks in the Indian squad after their Asia Cup performance and before the Marquee Event of the T20I World Cup –
Contrasting Performances at the Top -
Coming back from injury, K.L Rahul came into the Asia Cup with very little game time and the outcome was evident through his performances. With a single fifty in the entire Asia Cup, which came in the team’s final match, K.L. Rahul had a rather underwhelming tournament considering his standards. On the other hand, Rohit had good starts in most of the matches but failed to convert those into big scores apart from the one against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, India’s ever-dependable No. 3, Virat Kohli rose to the occasion and ended as the Tournament’s second-highest run-scorer. With just over a month for the World Cup, expectations are high from the experienced opening duo of Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul to go hand-in-hand with Virat Kohli.
Death-bowling issues –
With India failing to defend 170+ scores twice, questions are being raised over their bowling as well, with poor death-bowling being at the forefront in these losses. The main highlight of the poor death-bowling performance was the Penultimate over of Bhuvneshwar Kumar on both occasions. India failed to defend 26 and 21 runs in the losses against Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar leaving only 7 runs for Arshdeep Singh’s final over in both matches. Eyes will now be on Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel to shoulder the Team’s death-bowling in the upcoming Marquee Event.
Can Axar Patel fill the Ravindra Jadeja-sized hole?
Ravindra Jadeja’s unfortunate injury in the Asia Cup has added to the worries in the Indian Camp and Axar Patel has a task at hand to fill the big boots of Jadeja. Being a like-for-like replacement, the only area where Axar gets piped by Jadeja is batting. One cannot forget Jadeja’s contribution with the bat in India’s famous victory against Pakistan in the recently-concluded Asia Cup. Hopes will be high from Axar to perform his best whenever given an opportunity in the World Cup.
The Finishing dilemma –
India’s recent specialist finisher, Dinesh Karthik, ended the Asia Cup facing only a solitary delivery. Jadeja’s absence meant Rishabh Pant’s entry into the Playing 11, because of the lack of left-handers in the team, and Dinesh Karthik facing the axe. In the losses against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the Indian team was guilty of wasting the platform laid down by the top order with the troika of Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Deepak Hooda failing to deliver the finishing touches. Except for the final match against Afghanistan, where Virat Kohli batted through the innings, India failed to get the final flourish in the rest of the matches. It will be interesting to see who gets the nod for the Finisher’s role in the upcoming World Cup.
Who will accompany Chahal as the spin-twin?
With Ravindra Jadeja injured and Ravi Bishnoi kept in reserves, the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin and impressive Axar Patel are set to fight for the second spinner’s spot in the team. Though Axar’s batting gives him an edge over Ashwin, the latter’s vast experience cannot be ruled out. It will be interesting to see who gets an edge over the other, or the management decides to go in with a sole spinner, with the Australian pitches favoring pacers.
Notable exclusions –
After a poor Asia Cup performance, Avesh Khan has faced an axe on expected lines. Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Sanju Samson remain the other notable exclusions from the main squad. However, Shreyas Iyer along with Mohammad Shami, Deepak Chahar, and Ravi Bishnoi will be the stand-by players for the Marquee Event.
My probable starting 11 for Asia Cup –
1. Rohit Sharma(C)
2. K.L. Rahul
3. Virat Kohli
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Hardik Pandya
6. Dinesh Karthik (WK)
7. Ravichandran Ashwin
8. Harshal Patel
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
10. Yuzvendra Chahal
11. Jasprit Bumrah
This entire article has been written by me without any references and plagiarism from any sites or pages. I have written this article using my knowledge and passion for cricket.
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