Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has opined that some of the Indian players have not played regularly for the Indian team in the recent past and it is going to be Rohit Sharma’s biggest challenge. Virat Kohli will return to action after being rested for the series against Zimbabwe and West Indies.
Furthermore, KL Rahul could only score 31 runs in the two ODI innings against Zimbabwe after returning to action after a long layoff from injury. Both of these players are going to hold the key for the Indian team at the top of the order.
Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports, “Rohit Sharma’s biggest challenge in this Asia Cup I feel is some of the players who have not played regularly for the Indian team because of different-different reasons – it could be fitness or like Virat Kohli took a break, he is also making a comeback. KL Rahul had gotten injured.”
On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out with a back injury and Bangar feels the ace fast bowler’s absence will be another challenge for Rohit Sharma.
“Jasprit Bumrah is also not playing this tournament. So how he manages the bowling in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence because Jasprit Bumrah is an extremely important element in India’s bowling. So I feel these will be the small challenges in front of Rohit Sharma.”
Bangar reckons India will finalise their T20 World Cup squad after the completion of the Asia Cup.
“The biggest takeaway for the Indian team from the Asia Cup will be that by the time the Asia Cup ends, they would have figured out their most probable playing 15, or they would have finalized their team for the World Cup, at least in their own heads.”
Former all-rounder feels if India can identify their players for the T20I showpiece after the Asia Cup, it will be the biggest takeaway from the multi-team tournament.
“I feel that will be a huge takeaway because you get a lot of bilateral series but you rarely get a multi-nation tournament like this. So Asia Cup is a very good tournament and if the Indian team identifies their players by the time this tournament finishes, I feel that will be the biggest takeaway.”
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Pakistan on 28th August.
