Asia Cup 2022: "I Feel This Team Is Lacking Consistency" - Robin Uthappa Questions On India's Playing XI

After India’s disastrous exit from the Asia Cup, the team has been criticized from many places. Lack of maturity and uncertainty in the team combination is believed to be the reason for India’s poor performance.

In the last few games, the Men in Blue have shuffled and changed their playing XI. The team think tank was criticized after Rohit Sharma’s side lost to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super 4 stage.

Robin Uthappa has questioned Team India’s constant experimentation with their playing XI ahead of the Super 4 match against Afghanistan in Dubai on Thursday. India tested different XIs in all the four matches played in the tournament.

Uthappa feels This Team Is Lacking Consistency

Uthappa has assessed that the experiments made in India’s batting line-up have become a humiliation for the team in the tournament. He said that it is very important to play the respective players in each specific position.

“I feel this team is lacking consistency and they need consistency, which is needed before a big tournament like the T20 World Cup. At least if they play them in one position consistently, then it will be better for the side, ” said to ESPNCricinfo ahead of the Afghanistan game.

“I understand you need to manage Hardik Pandya’s work load and you can give him a game or two rest but the team should remain the same mostly as far as the World Cup is concerned, “he added.

India started the tournament well as group winners. But the team was a total failure in the Super Four. Despite scoring 170 plus scores, India lost to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Four.

At the same time, India is going into the final match today after losing their hopes of making the finals in the tournament. India will face Afghanistan in Super Four. India got off to a good start when they lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super Four. India lost the match by five wickets. In the crucial second game, India lost to Sri Lanka by six wickets.

India will almost certainly change their starting XI against Afghanistan. The Men in Blue may make a couple of changes for the dead rubber as they try to find the best team combination ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia.

India Cap Play With A Full Strength Team Against Australia and South Africa – Uthappa

After exiting the Asia Cup, India will focus on the next bilateral white-ball series against Australia and South Africa. Uthappa believes that India should stick to a single playing XI to better prepare for the next T20 World Cup.

“Hopefully not, hopefully one team will play unless there is an injury. Hopefully, Bumrah and Harshal Patel will be back from injury so India can play with a full strength team atleast 5-6 games. So they will be prepared before leaving for the World Cup.”

The three-match Twenty20 International series between India and Australia will begin on September 20 in Mohali.

Also Read: Robin Uthappa Suggests Changes To India’s Playing XI For The Upcoming Game Against Afghanistan