IND vs AFG: Robin Uthappa Concerns India's Starting Team After The Defeat Against Sri Lanka
Published - 07 Sep 2022, 02:25 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:12 AM
Robin Uthappa questioned India’s squad after their recent loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup on Tuesday, stating that the squad has to bring in players who specialize in specific roles.
The island nation handed Rohit Sharma and his team their second straight defeat in the Super Fours stage; their first came on Sunday against Pakistan.
Tuesday’s Asia Cup was yet another letdown for India as they fell to Sri Lanka in the Super 4 and came dangerously near to being knocked out of the continental competition. India’s captain Rohit Sharma’s brilliant 41-ball 72 was for nothing as the islanders successfully chased down 174 with one ball remaining.
Sri Lanka scored 14 runs off the penultimate over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, virtually winning it for them when they needed 21 runs in 12 balls. If Pakistan defeats Afghanistan on Wednesday, India would be eliminated from the tournament.
Deepak Hooda is not a finisher: Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa was questioned by ESPNCricinfo about India’s team’s personnel issues after the game. The 36-year-old used Deepak Hooda as an example of a player India has added to the team who is not performing in their best capacity.
Robin Uthappa claimed that by placing Hooda in that position at the end of a game, the team management is putting pressure on him because he is not a finisher.
“See, I have been saying this since the first game. You need horses for courses in the same way that you need players who excel in specific positions. What India has done in the last few games is bring in players who are not playing in their ideal position. Deepak Hooda lacks finishing ability.”
He has yet to play for Lucknow Supergiants. He has not previously finished for India. When you send him in at No.6 or No.7 at the end of a tournament like the Asia Cup, you are putting pressure on a player like that. He is a high-calibre player who excels at a specific position” Robin Uthappa said.
Today will determine Team India’s participation in the competition (September 7). The Indian fans would be hoping that Afghanistan pulls off a significant victory in the Super Four round as well after they defeated Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the league stage.
Also Read: Explained: How India Can Qualify For Asia Cup Final 2022
