As India Take On Afghanistan Today, Fans Look Forward To An Honourable End To Asia Cup Campaign
Dubai, Sep 8 (TNA) India on Thursday are looking forward to end their campaign on a winning note against Afghanistan, where India's early exit from Asia Cup is also a blow for their 'tried and tested' approach for the WorldT20 later in October. Words like 'resting', 'rotation' and 'resource pool' were being buzzed at Indian camp.
Although one would say the reason for India's poor performance is for the injury of Jaspreet Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, but in reality India team had played musical chair with the middle order, both India and Afghanistan has nothing to lose on Thursday when they face each other.
After being shown exit door by Sri Lankan, who were considered as underpowered squad has undone Heavyweight Indian team, India will surely not take Afghanistan lightly not in cause that they will bat second.
For, the fans it will be no surprise if Afghanistan could defeat India. With India having nothing to loose, they will hope to give their bench a try especially inclusion of much debated drop of Deepak Chahar. It also seems like after Pakistan game Hardik Pandya is exhausted with both ball and bat, Risabh Pant form is also a concern for Indian squad. It has been a mixed Asia Cup for Indian team with someday Rohit scoring, then Virat making runs and KL Rahul, middle order debacle continues to haunt India.
One would say this clash of India and Afghanistan will now not be much important with both teams exiting from the prestigious Asia Cup, also to note that India's Title dominance will end in Asia Cup.
The absence of consistency in squad is also a bit of concern for India with Yuzwinder Chahal India's best spinner had only one good game, KL Rahul average of 17 in four games, Bhubaneshwar not able to give one of the best performance with giving 19 and 14 runs against Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively. Another new development, which is bothering India is not able to hit the stumps, one would say missing stumps one time is ok but missing stumps two times is considered ridiculous as India is considered good team in fielding.
Arshdeep case is also a case of concern for India, as latter was abused by fan while boarding team bus after his catch missing case calling him Khalistani Supporter. For India the biggest aim when coming on field will be to hold their nerves and win. Like India, Afghanistan are also in same boat exiting after losing to Pakistan on Wednesday, but even after Super4s exit this Asia cup has shown Afghanistan as one of the best squad in T20.
Only if they could have hold their nerves in last overs, for Afghanistan their is nothing to lose, they have already send warning and shown their capability in all three departments winning two out of two games in group stages of Asia Cup, they lost both the games of Super4s to Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively.
Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmed three a piece didn't go as well as Afghanistan had lack of inexperienced pacers which was a boon for India.
— Ritik Bhadra