Team India will play the Asia Cup under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and they will be commencing their campaign against Hong Kong on Tuesday. This encounter is being touted as a practice game for the men in blue ahead of the much-awaited clash against Pakistan on Wednesday.
Team India will be keen to get their combinations right in the absence of the regular skipper Virat Kohli which is why the stand-in skipper Rohit is happy with the inclusion Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav in the team.
India’s middle-order struggle is still not resolved, but Rayudu and Manish Pandey can be best possible solutions with the World Cup approaching fast. The former was controversially left out of the team for the England tour for failing the yo-yo test and was replaced by Suresh Raina then who failed to nail his place scoring only 47 runs in two outings.
ALSO READ: Tamim Iqbal ruled out from Asia Cup 2018
Ahead of their series opener, Rohit Sharma addressed the media in the pre-match press conference in Dubai and hoped that Rayudu and Jadhav live up to the reputation and make the opportunity count. He said, “Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav are important members of the team. Them making a comeback is good for the team. It is important for us that they perform well. I am happy that they are back.”
I'm happy that @RayuduAmbati and @JadhavKedar are back. They are important members – @ImRo45 #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/OXOan1NNBh
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2018
Rohit also clarified that the likes of Pandey, Jadhav, Rayudu are fighting for the key middle-order slots. He said, “Lot of spots are up for grabs like Nos 3, 4 and 6. All these guys (Kedar, Manish, Rayudu) are eyeing for those slots. We want to give chances to as many guys for this particular series. In this tournament, we need to seal the batting slot Nos 4 and 6.”
Sharma also revealed that he reckons that performers should be given a longer run. Mohammed Amir and Usman Khan in Asia Cup and Mitchell Starc in Australia are some of the left-arm fast bowlers that India will be encountering in their next few assignments and that’s why left-arm throwdown specialist Nuwan Seneviratne from Sri Lanka has been roped in. The Indian skipper seemed impressed having faced him in the nets.
Slightly nervous, but excited to lead this squad in the #AsiaCup2018 – Captain @ImRo45 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/eQfN8ryAQf
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2018
Talking about the same, Rohit said, “We saw him in Sri Lanka and we already have two right-handed throwdown experts (Raghu and Sanjay Bangar). We will play in Australia and even in the Asia Cup, where will face a few left-armers. It is a great move BCCI and is quite accurate with what he does. He is a great addition to our team.” Talking about the another, left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed, Rohit said, “He is a great addition and has tools to succeed at the highest level.”
ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Shares Team India’s Goals
Having had a look at the pitch in Dubai, Rohit’s assessment is that it will get slower as the game progresses. He said the wicket isn’t that bad. He reckons that the pitch is going to get slower and slower as the match progresses.
Sharma concluded on a personal note as he is excited as well as nervous as this is the biggest tournament for him as India captain. He said, “I am excited as well as nervous. It is a big tournament for me. I know all the boys well. I understand them well which is necessary.”
