Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has praised the selectors for picking a potent team for the Asian Games. Kaif said India is giving more importance to the continental tournament than the bilateral series against the West Indies.
India recently also picked a full-strength team for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The Men in Blue also picked a first-choice team against Japan, barring resting Jasprit Bumrah.
India’s women team has already won the Gold medal at the Asian Games and the Men’s team would look to follow suit.
“Oh yes, I think if you see the squad looks very strong, lots of players in form,” Kaif said in a video shared by Cricbuzz. “You know, talk about the opener, Shreyas Iyer is a captain, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, they’ve been in great touch. I hope to see him playing in that game because he’s been, you know, out of the 11 after scoring so many runs for India.”
“Kishan wicket-keeper, Tilak Varma vice-captain. I think it’s a very balanced side. Jasprit is there, Arshdeep Singh. I think very strong squad because their focus is to win the gold. Yeah, at the same time, they’re playing an ODI against West Indies here back home, but they have sent their stronger players to the Asian Games to win gold. I think it looks very strong on paper,” he added.
Kaif said Indian players will need to access the conditions and bring their A-game to the ground as there would not be any scope of mistakes.
“The only difference, they’re playing in the day, so just one game. You have to be, you know, at your best. There is no looking back. If you make a mistake, you can’t come back in the game,” Kaif added. “So, and it’s a day game like I said. New country, new venue. We don’t know the condition, how it’s going to be. So, first assess the condition, then play accordingly.”
The former UP batter said the Indian players have had the required game time under their belt in the recent past.
“The best part about Indian team, all the players they’ve been in great touch. Even see Bumrah is coming back, he’s doing well,” Kaif said in the aforementioned video. “In openers, middle order, all the players they have been in touch with the game.”
The NatWest Trophy final hero said India will receive support from their fans.
“Yes, like I said, the condition might be a bit different, and whenever Indian team tour abroad, go outside India, they have fans coming in watching the game, supporting them,” Kaif added. “That we have seen across the world. Wherever they go, this is going to be in Japan, I’m sure, you know, the fans will be at the ground cheering for India.”
India will begin their Asian Games campaign on September 28 but their quarterfinal opponent is yet to be decided.
