India‘s performance in the Asia Cup 2023 has been remarkably successful. They have maintained an undefeated record in the tournament, guaranteeing their spot in the final against co-hosts Sri Lanka.
Despite encountering some obstacles along the way, Rohit Sharma and his team emerged victorious. India’s path to the final commenced with a challenging match against traditional rivals Pakistan, which was disrupted by rain.
Following that, India secured a convincing 10-wicket victory over underdog Nepal to advance to the Super Fours stage. During the Super Fours stage, India faced Pakistan once more and delivered a resounding defeat, prevailing by a massive margin of 228 runs.
In their encounter with Sri Lanka, they faced a tense situation but ultimately emerged victorious, securing a 41-run win. India’s focus is set on capturing the trophy this Sunday, but before that, they are scheduled to take on Bangladesh this Friday.
Given their secured spot in the final, the Indian team may consider resting certain players to carefully manage their workload leading up to the ICC ODI World Cup.
Here, we explore three potential adjustments that India could consider for their upcoming Asia Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh.
Substitute Virat Kohli with Suryakumar Yadav
Considering the match’s lack of significance, India might opt to give senior batsman Virat Kohli a rest. In preparation for the World Cup, it’s crucial to maintain Kohli’s freshness, as his performance will be pivotal for India’s success.
It’s worth noting that Kohli is currently in excellent form; he recently scored an unbeaten century against Pakistan during a Super Fours match, demonstrating his top-notch capabilities.
As an alternative, India could consider providing an opportunity to Suryakumar Yadav, who is also part of the World Cup squad. Although he has excelled in T20Is, he has yet to replicate that success in ODIs, making it essential for him to gain valuable match experience.
In case there arises a need for Suryakumar in the World Cup, performing well now would significantly boost his confidence.
Mohammed Shami instead of Mohammed Siraj
Recent selections indicate that currently, Mohammed Siraj holds a higher position in the priority list than Mohammed Shami. Siraj’s outstanding displays and India’s preference for including a bowling all-rounder have resulted in the seasoned Shami being sidelined.
Nonetheless, Shami remains a crucial member of the squad and might be needed to step in due to injury or form concerns. Therefore, it’s beneficial for him to gain some match practice.
Despite his extensive experience at the top level, there might be a bit of rustiness, which would ideally be addressed in a match against Bangladesh.
Prasidh Krishna taking the place of Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah currently stands as arguably the most vital member of the Indian Cricket Team. His recent return to the side after a prolonged injury absence underscores the need for careful workload management.
It wouldn’t be logical to field him in an inconsequential match, and the Men in Blue should provide playing time to Prasidh Krishna instead. While Krishna isn’t part of the World Cup squad, he could serve as a backup in case of injuries.
He, too, has recently recovered from an injury and has participated in only a limited number of matches, primarily in the shortest format. Today’s game would enable him to acclimate to the longer format and build confidence.
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