Rohit Sharma & Co. will be aiming to dominate the terms when the side locks horns against Pakistan in their opening fixture of Asia Cup 2023 on 2nd September. Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy has come under scrutiny and at the same time, there has been uncertainty over the batting positions of the batters.
Asia Cup 2023 is considered to be the stepping stone ahead of the much anticipated ODI WC 2023. India’s main problem over the last decade has been that they haven’t found a replacement for the star cricketer Yuvraj Singh. The side is reliant on the dashing batter Virat Kohli to score runs in crunch matches which is not a good sign.
The top 3 or 4 have to fire on a regular basis and more so in important matches- Saba Karim
Saba Karim was having an interaction on Jio Cinema and stated that India’s top order has faltered which is a big learning for the Men in Blue. Saba Karim pointed out that the duo of Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma will have to deliver in crunch matches if the side wants to win the marquee tournament..
“It remains India’s biggest strength, but it depends on how we execute it. Because whatever I have noticed in the past, in big games and ICC events, it is the top order that has faltered,” said Saba Karim
“That is a big learning for the Indian top order, and they should understand that for India to do well not only in the Asian challenge but also in the upcoming World Cup, it is the top three or four that have to fire on a regular basis, and more so in important matches,” he stated.
“In all those crunch situations, these three top guns need to deliver, especially Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both of them have got abundance of experience. Shubman Gill, whatever he has shown in the past couple of seasons, we have termed him as an all-format player, but this is the time for the youngster to also come good and shine for India,” he added.
Stern Test for India
It won’t be wrong to say that India have been quite careless about the combination. With only a handful of ODIs left before the ODI WC 2023, the Ajit Agarkar selection panel have a tough task on their hands as after Asia Cup 2023. India are slated to play 3 ODIs against Australia which would be the last assignment ahead of WC 2023.
The billion people though would be happy as the right arm fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is fit & available for selection. Rohit Sharma will have to use him 3-4 spells as Bumrah is quite injury prone and the side cannot afford another set back.