Asia Cup Next Match: Sportsrush presents before you India’s predicted XI for their next match against Afghanistan.
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Out of the six teams who had participated in the 14th edition of the Asia Cup, India have unequivocally emerged as the top team up till now. Having won all their four matches in the tournament so far, they have entered the final with one match to go.
In which will be their last match of the Super Four stage, India will be seen locking horns against Afghanistan tomorrow, i.e., September 25. With Afghanistan losing both their Super Four matches, they are out of the tournament. That being said, the dead rubber will still have a lot to look forward to.
Afghanistan will be looking to play for their first win in the Super Four stage. Unfortunately for them, they have played extremely well but have failed to stand tall in pressure situations.
On the other hand, India would be looking to test their bench strength. In a tightly-scheduled tournament such as this, it will also aid them in resting a few key players ahead of the big final.
Below is India’s predicted playing XI for the match against Afghanistan:
1. Top-order – India’s opening duo of captain Rohit Sharma (269 runs in four matches at an average of 134.50 and a strike rate of 94.71) and Shikhar Dhawan (327 runs in four matches at an average of 81.75 and a strike rate of 101.86) have had a stupendous run in this tournament so far.
Going by their current form, the team management should ideally not even consider of tinkering with the top order. That being said, with Lokesh Rahul waiting for his chance, India might end up resting Dhawan for Rahul. It will both give Dhawan rest before the final and give an opportunity to Rahul to press a case in the India’s ODI team.
Ambati Rayudu, who has batted at No. 3 in all the four matches, is likely to retain his place in the side.
- Middle-order – In the middle order, India would be looking to persist with the same bunch of players for batsmen batting from No. 4 to 7 still haven’t got a proper go in the middle. In Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav and Ravindra Jadeja, India have a middle order which would be looking forward to more opportunities with the bat.
3. Bowlers – India’s new ball duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (six wickets in four matches at an average of 23.83, an economy rate of 4.08 and a strike rate of 35) and Jasprit Bumrah (seven wickets in three matches at an average of 12.71, an economy rate of 3.37 and a strike rate of 22.5) has registered nothing but magical figures in the tournament so far. Despite that, citing their workload, the management would be looking to rest them for the match against Afghanistan.
In their reserves, India have able bowlers in Siddarth Kaul and Khaleel Ahmed. Kaul had made his ODI debut during the tour of England, while Ahmed played his first match for India against Hong Kong, the first match of the Asia Cup.
The responsibility of leading the attack in absence of their senior partners would give them the required confidence. Moreover, how they handle the various situations at this level will only be known after them being given opportunities.
In Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, India have a couple of spinners who can come into the rescue if the inexperienced duo goes for runs. Additionally, the all-rounder duo of Jadeja and Jadhav are also likely to make things easier for captain Sharma.
India’s predicted XI against Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma (c), Lokesh Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Siddarth Kaul, Yuzvendra Chahal and Khaleel Ahmed.
Below are some of the tweets in appreciation of the Indian team after they defeated Pakistan by 9 wickets yesterday:
