Asia Cup 2022: Team India caught in a storm of questions trying to find answers

New Delhi: India’s poor performance in the Asia Cup T20 tournament ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup gave less answers to the team management but more questions started to arise. After registering victories against Pakistan and Hong Kong in the group stage, the team fell apart in moments of pressure against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the ‘Super Four’.

Virat’s century was a matter of relief

Virat Kohli, however, managed to end his century drought, leaving cricket fans with a sigh of relief. His century, however, came against Afghanistan in a match that was insignificant. Not only this, the Afghanistan team had to take the field for the second time within 20 hours of playing a very close match on the previous day that too in another city.

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Rahul’s performance in powerplay is in question

Lokesh Rahul’s plan to save wickets in the power play in the top three batting order for India is adding to the team’s troubles. “We have to put him in good shape because we know what he is capable of,” Kohli said during a conversation with Rohit for BCCI.tv. After Kohli’s unbeaten century, such a demand was also arising that he should open the innings with Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav came to bat at the third order. In such a situation, Rahul may have to sit out of the XI.

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Failed to bat up to his reputation in the Asia Cup

There is no doubt that Rahul has no dearth of talent but he failed to bat up to his reputation in the Asia Cup. Even in the middle order, the team’s difficulties did not diminish. Dinesh Karthik got a chance to play in the initial matches but he got to face less than 10 balls.

Pant fails to replicate Test success in T20Is

Pant, who has led the team to several memorable victories in Test matches with his aggressive batting, has not impressed in this format so far as he has lauded. All-rounder Hardik Pandya also failed to replicate his match-winning performance against Pakistan in the opening match. The team has a good option in the middle order in the form of Deepak Hooda.

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Jadeja’s injury added to the problems

The absence of Ravindra Jadeja in the bowling department will be a setback for the Indian team. His substitute Axar Patel has been doing well with the bowling but with the bat he does not provide the team with the flexibility of Jadeja. Along with playing big shots in the last overs, Jadeja can also bat in the middle order according to the need of the team, as he did against Pakistan.

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Bhuvi disappointed against Pakistan-Sri Lanka

Bhuvneshwar Kumar repeated the same mistake against Sri Lanka after conceding 19 runs in the 19th over against Pakistan. He did take five wickets against Afghanistan but the team expects him to do better under pressure. Arshdeep Singh impressed during this period but with Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel getting fit, it will be difficult for them to make it to the XI. In such a situation, the chances of Avesh Khan getting a place in the last 15 are slim.