Super 4, IND vs SL: What could be India's answer to the weaknesses exposed by Pakistan?



image-l7pztsb7India will be Sri Lanka in the super fours of Asia Cup 2022

India will be taking on Sri Lanka in the third match of the Super four stage of the Asia Cup 2022. After a hard fought defeat against their arch-rivals, Pakistan in the last match India will be looking to bounce back with a strong performance in this match. 

What are the points Sri Lanka will target in this match and what answers should India have ready to win the contest?


India’s lack of variety in bowling attack

Surely Sri Lanka had taken notes of how Pakistan defeated India by tactically outthinking the ‘Men in Blue’. The use of left handers in the middle order to keep the left hand-right hand combination going is something the Lankans will look to do. 

There are three left handers in the Sri Lankan middle order in- Charitha Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Danushka Gunathilaka. So, we may be seeing a left hander replacing another in today’s match as they have quite a number of options. 


India’s answer

 Well in India’s part keeping Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad is a must. His record against the left hand batters in T20I s looks like this:

image-l7pzkzmfAshwin's record versus left handers in T20Is

If we speak of the current form, he has been brilliant against the left-handers even this year also. He has conceded runs at an economy of just 5.35 in 2022 against left handers while picking up a wicket every 14 runs. 

image-l7pzxi3oRavichandran Ashwin be a vital inclusion in today's match


Besides the flexibility he will bring in the bowling, Ashwin has proved himself as a more than competent T20 batter in the latest edition of the IPL. So his batting can also be an aspect India can explore in different ways and probably it is the right time with T20 World Cup in Australia coming up. 


India’s one dimensional batting order

 The Indian team that played against Pakistan in the last match had only one left handed batter in Rishabh Pant. The Pakistani spinners took full advantage of this and got a grip of the match in the middle overs of Indian batting. Sri Lanka will also be looking to use this weakness in Indian batting today. 

India's Answer

image-l7pzvserAxar Patel can bring dynamism in the Indian batting order

The only other left handed batter in India’s arsenal is Axar Patel. India should look to use him. He has also proved finishing prowess in the 2nd match of the recently concluded ODI series against West Indies. Axar played a crucial knock of 64 from 35 balls in the match, which saw India get across the line. 

Besides his batting he is another bowling option that will allow flexibility to the team. Who should he replace you might be thinking? Deepak Hooda is a brilliant batter and has proved himself in the recent past. But it was clear in the match against Pakistan that Rohit Sharma can’t trust his bowling in pressure situations. Better to have an accomplished bowler in that place. 

Hence, India should make two changes, Ravichandran Ashwin instead of Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel in place of Deepak Hooda


Also Read: Asia Cup 2022, SL vs AFG: Game Plan