Asia Cup 2022: Match 2-Game Plan India

India looking to get redemption [PC: Twitter]

The mother of all rivalries is here. It’s time for India versus Pakistan in the 15th edition of the Asia Cup. 

After a humiliating defeat in World Cup 2021, it is time for redemption for the Men in Blue. 

So, how should the Indian team go about in the match?

First things first, what to do in the toss?

Toss: In last night’s Sri Lanka- Afghanistan match there was a hint of movement from the pitch early on. Today’s match being played on the same ground, we can expect the same. So if you win the toss field first without thinking about it twice and test the technique of the Pakistani top order. 

Batting first approach

Rohit will be aiming to lead from the front

If the toss doesn't go India’s way and if they are asked to bat first then what?

India in general have looked to be aggressive from the outset in their recent matches. Given that they are batting first in today’s match, they can approach it in two ways.

1. Use SKY as the opener: India have tested Suryakumar Yadav at the top order during the West Indies tour. They can send him in with Rohit Sharma, while KL Rahul comes down the order. If India do take this approach SKY will be the aggressor while Rohit will take his time to settle down against the pace of Naseem Shah in particular. Then once you get the idea of the conditions take the attack on to the bowlers.

2. KL Rahul, the aggressor: KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have a similar approach to batting. Both look to settle down at first and then go big. But for today one has to be the aggressor and given KL’s recent dip in T20 Strike Rate, the team should urge him to take the role. 

If Rahul can take on the bowlers at the beginning it will improve his strike rate, help Rohit settle down at the other end and help India gain an upper hand in the match very quickly. 

Surya is in the form of his life

If India go in and use Surya as the opener it will be very interesting to watch. But if India sticks with their conventional batting order, KL and Rohit will have the responsibility of blunting down the Pakistan opening bowlers. 

 If they successfully do their job it will be upto the middle order to take India to a respectable total.

Middle Order batting plan: The pitch looked like it was getting easier in the last match. So, India will need to have a cushion of 20-30 runs if they bat first. With Virat Kohli not at his best, the other batters must take on the job of keeping the scoring rate high and leave Kohli to go about his business his own way.

Bowling first plan

Bhuvi is expected to lead the Indian attack

If India win the toss and decide to field first, what should be the team’s approach.

Dismiss the top-order quickly: With early movement of the pitch available, India’s best weapon, if they bowl first will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvi and Hardik should be the opening duo in case of bowling first. The prime objective of the Indian bowling should be to dismantle the Pakistan top order as quickly as possible. 

If India can get the top order of Pakistan quickly, then India can exploit the lack of experience in the Pakistan middle order. 

India’s general approach to the game will probably be this under the different situations.

Also Read: Game plan: How can Sri Lanka play Rashid Khan?