SL vs IND: India's problems laid bare by the Lankans

image-l7qlh9jsSri Lanka defeated India in the super four stage of Asia Cup 2022 (PC: Twitter)

The Indian team has gone down against Sri Lanka in the third match of the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2022. Just like their last outing against Pakistan, India lost a hard fought match. 

Being invited to bat first, India put up a total of 173 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs at the Dubai International Stadium. But Sri Lanka chased down the target with 6 wickets in hand and one ball to spare. 

The pattern of the match was similar to how it went against Pakistan. So, what are the cracks India need to paper over, especially with the T20I World Cup knocking at the doors. 

Death Over Woes

image-l7ql37jxIndia felt the absence of Jasprit Bumrah in the Asia Cup (PC: Twitter)

In both the matches it was the penultimate over where the ‘Men in Blue’ lost the match. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah was felt by the team in the pressure situations.

In the match against Pakistan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceded 19 runs in the 19th over when the opposition needed 26 runs. Against Sri Lanka, he conceded 14 runs with 21 runs left for Sri Lanka in two overs. Even though Arshdeep did a commendable job in the last over of both the matches, expecting 7 runs to be saved in modern cricket is a bit too much. 

Absence of bowling potency at the beginning

image-l7ql6d5sIndia needs someone like Deepak Chahar in the bowling attack (PC: Twitter)

India allowed Sri Lankan openers to perfectly settle down and nearly take the match away from them. A 97 runs partnership for the opening wicket really puts you in a position where you are bound to play catch-up in the rest of the match.

India needs to look for bowlers who could pick up wickets at the beginning of an innings before the World Cup. The team management needs to strengthen the bench regarding the presence of someone who can take the responsibility even if Bumrah is absent. As of now a bowler like Deepak Chahar who swings the ball in both directions could be a good choice. 


Proper team combination

image-l7ql7qlrRahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma have a lot to think about ahead of the T20 World Cup (PC: Twitter)

The team management needs to think about a proper team combination. With all probability of Jadeja missing the World Cup, India must look to attain a team combination where they have the dynamism and flexibility of left hand batters in the batting order and a backup bowler in the eleven.

In both the matches Rohit Sharma was unable to switch to an option who can do the repair work when one of the five bowlers was going for runs. 

Also absence of left handed batters who have experience of pressure situations in their bank like Shikhar Dhawan was felt by the team. Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma need to seriously put a thought into the combination they want to go in with in the T20I World Cup. 

The biggest positive, Arshdeep Singh

image-l7qlb079Arshdeep Singh, India's biggest positive from the Asia Cup (PC: Twitter)

Arshdeep Singh showed how mature and well equipped he is for the international arena. With a fit Bumrah back in the equation beside Arshdeep, India's death bowling woes might be solved. 

The biggest positive in the tournament was Rohit Sharma gave exposure to the youngster in pressure situations to mould him. Indian fans will be keeping a keen eye on Arshdeep and how he develops in the times to come. 

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar tweets in support of Arshdeep Singh