India will look to revamp themselves from the match against Afghanistan (PC: Twitter)
India and Afghanistan will be facing each other in the fifth Super four match of the Asia Cup 2022 at the Dubai International Stadium. The match is only a formality if the chances of qualifying for the finals are considered. But both the teams will look to give their best and bow out of the tournament with their heads held high.
What are the issues India must address in this match keeping in mind their journey to the T20 World Cup from here on?
Planned batting
The Indian team needs to determine a proper plan of batting (PC: Twitter)
The biggest problem that has been found in the Indian batting is that the batters have looked puzzled about their role. The all-out approach that India took ahead of the Asia Cup has been missing in some of the matches as the wickets have not allowed them to do so. On the other hand, in the matches where India did get a positive start, the middle order batters failed to back it up.
So, from this match onwards, India should determine the role of each batter in the order and make it a point to them to be adaptable as per the situation and conditions.
Revamping the death bowling
Bhuvneswar Kumar needs to find back his groove in death over bowling (PC: Twitter)
The two matches that India lost, the prime reason looked like their bowling in the death overs. Especially an experienced campaigner like Bhuvneshwar Kumar failing them in the penultimate over of both the games cost India hugely.
In today’s match the Indian team management should look to encourage the bowlers to execute different plans in the death overs rather than sticking to one dimensional bowling. Adapting and grooming the players from now on would help the team in the long run.
Look for a better team combination
India needs to look for a team combination to cover up Jadeja's absence (PC: Twitter)
In the last two matches, India has missed the services of Ravindra Jadeja. The team management has failed to find the perfect combination to cover up for the southpaw.
With reports going round that Jadeja might not be available for the T20 World Cup in Australia, India needs to find a working combination from now on.
Having Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin together might be a good choice. Axar, being a left handed batter, will bring dynamism in the batting order along with his economical bowling. If Deepak Hooda is not bowling then the use of a player who can give you one or two overs during a crisis seems more sensible.
With Axar and Ashwin in the squad, it will be a perfect balance for any pitch with three pacers and three spinners.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: Dilip Vengsarkar slams management for India's dismal showing
