Team India is in trouble after the second successive defeat in the Asia Cup, and such a performance has increased the team’s concern ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. After the defeat against Pakistan, everyone expected that players would work on their flaws, but against Sri Lanka, the players were seen repeating the same mistakes.
Especially the Indian bowlers have let everyone down. Team India failed to defend a big total again. The team had to face defeat in two important matches due to their bowling. India’s most experienced bowler, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has also been responsible for these defeats. Bhuvneshwar conceded more runs on crucial occasions in both successive matches, and both matches went out of India’s grip.
In such a situation, the selectors should now turn their attention back to the team’s leading fast bowler Mohammed Shami ahead of the T20 World Cup. Less time will be available for the players to practice for the T20 World Cup the longer it takes the management to make changes to the team.
In both, the Super 4 matches, the playing XI of the Indian team was completely incomprehensible. Although Deepak Hooda was included in the team, but he did not bowl even a single over in both games. Even in batting, Deepak could not do anything special while Dinesh Karthik, who is a finisher, was dropped from the playing XI in both matches. All these decisions of the team are raising many questions, and if these mistakes are not fixed right away, the Indian team may once again struggle in the major World Cup game.
It will now be crucial to know how the selectors and team management perceive the Indian squad’s performance in this Asia Cup. Obviously, the Indian team defeated Pakistan and Hong Kong in the group stage, but they won with difficulties because the team failed to perform and did not show strength from the beginning.
The author is Virat Kohli’s coach and Dronacharya Award winner.