One more edition of the Asia Cup will be underway from 30 August 2023. The tournament has been split into two and will be held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Pakistan was the initial host but because of the apparent tensions between the more significant nations, it will be held in Sri Lanka too. India has won the most number of Asia Cup tournaments with Sri Lanka at the second spot. Over the years, this tournament has produced some really good games though it has been cancelled from time to time for various reasons. Now, that the basics are out of the way, let me concentrate on the tournament itself. This is the Asia Cup preview.
The format of the tournament is what lacks any common sense other than to make money. There is a group stage, a super 4 stage and then the final at Colombo. It is pretty obvious that the 4 nations in the continent, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka will certainly qualify for the super-4 stage. The 4th spot is a bit of a tussle between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Hence, there is not much sense in having a super-4 stage. The main motivation here seems to be to earn as much revenue as possible because of the India – Pakistan rivalry. If these teams meet in the final, the organisers will laugh all the way to the bank.
Almost all the teams had a lengthy period of rest before the start of the tournament except for India. This is very much expected because the Indian Board do not treat their players with much respect. They actually take the players for granted. It will be better to write about the eventual finalists rather than who reach the super-4 stage.
India
The Indian team have a tremendous amount of experience. Even Shreyas Iyer, who is a recent entrant into the squad, has played more than 40 ODIs. Hence, experience and experience in the big games is not at all a problem for India. However, their temperament in the major tournaments leaves a lot to be desired. It has been 10 years since India has won anything major except for one Asia Cup in Dubai which was captained by Rohit Sharma. For some reason, they are unable to cross the most important hurdles.
Rohit Sharma, who is in the twilight of his career, will get this one and one final chance in the ODI World Cup. If he fails to win either or both, he is likely to be replaced not only as captain but from white ball cricket itself. He is not getting any younger and his fitness does not seem to be upto the standard.
Otherwise, India is blessed with hitters throughout the squad. The coach and the captain must resist the urge to send Rahul to open the innings. He will be devastating lower down the order. This leaves a spot at the top. Gill has found it tough going on slow pitches. Sri Lankan wickets will be slow. Would it be better to open with Ishan Kishan? It means that Gill will have to be dropped altogether because Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rahul, Surya, Pandya & Jadeja have got the middle and lower order covered.
Chahal has been dropped with Axar Patel taking his place. Is Patel good enough to be a 2nd spinner? Ofcourse he can bat but is he capable of bowling his full quota? Shami and Bumrah will definitely start.
Pakistan & Sri Lanka
Their bowling as usual is incredible but they are menacing when it comes to T20, whereas in ODI, they have been found wanting. Nevertheless, they tend to raise themselves when playing India. If India can bat well against the likes of Afridi, Rauf & Naseem Shah, India can easily prevail. The 2019 World Cup being case in point. Pakistan are good at defending and if they have to win against India, it is advisable for them to bat first if they win the toss.
As for Sri Lanka, they surprise quite a few with their display against Asian nations. Against a lot of odds, they have often triumphed against their much fancied rivals. Sri Lanka is not the same force as they were during the Sangakkara, Muralitharan period. They are unable to replace their great cricketers and have suffered a prolonged period of lull. So much so that they even loose in their own country regularly against teams not from Asia. Having said that, they cannot be written off because they always fancy their chances against Pakistan.
Bangladesh & Afghanistan
These two teams will vie for the 4th slot in the super-4 stage. I think that Bangladesh with its larger experience in ODI cricket, will qualify as the 4th team. Afghanistan for all its exploits in the shortest form of the game, is not really a force in ODI. It showed in how they were decimated by Pakistan just before this tournament.
Wrapping up the Asia Cup preview
With the ODI World Cup looming, this tournament has some significance for the teams involved in deciding their personnel for the marquee event.