Asia Cup 2018: 5 Reasons Why India Can Win the Tournament

After losing yet another Test series in overseas conditions, Team India is all set to return to familiar territories as they prepare themselves for the 6 nation Asia Cup slated to be played in the United Arab Emirates from 15^th September. The Men in Blue have played some exceptional brand of cricket, especially in the white ball format. They managed to win the T20I series in England. However, they failed to win the ODI series despite getting off to a 1-0 lead.

They were quite dominant against South Africa and thrashed them 5-1 in their backyard. They have been quite superb in limited overs cricket and will be hoping to continue their dominant run of form even in the Asia Cup. Given their team combination and class of the players, there is no doubt about the fact that the Men in Blue will definitely start as the favourites.

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Pakistan has prior experience of playing in UAE. However, India’s performance in the recent past will definitely give them the confidence to win yet another Asia Cup title.

Now without wasting any time let us have a look at 5 possible reasons why Indian can win the Asia Cup

Form of Rohit Sharma

There is no doubt about the fact that Rohit Sharma is one of the finest limited overs batsmen presently. He has been a premier batsman for India and will be leading the side in the absence of Virat Kohli who has been rested from the tournament. Rohit was in stupendous form in the limited overs series against England. He scored centuries in the final T20I and the opening ODI of the series.

Rohit is a rare talent and will look to lead the team from the front in the upcoming tournament. He has a knack of scoring big centuries and we might witness one or two in the tournament. His performance will be very crucial if India harbours hopes of winning the tournament yet another time.

The inclusion of Ambati Rayudu

The veteran batsman has been a top-class batsman over the years. However, he hasn’t got enough opportunities in India colours. He made a comeback to the squad for the limited overs series against England. However, he had to be left out of the squad after Rayudu failed to clear the yo-yo test.

He has finally managed to pass the test and will be raring to go in the upcoming Asia Cup. He will come into the tournament on the back of some stupendous form in the domestic circuit. He was also the leading run scorer for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. His consistency was instrumental at the top of the order for CSK as they lifted their 3^rd IPL title.

The return of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Both the first choice bowlers were not available for selection for the majority of the England tour. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar aggravated his injury by playing the final ODI against India, Jasprit Bumrah missed the first couple of Tests and the whole limited overs tour. With both of them fit and selected in the squad, there is hardly any doubt about the fact that they will be the frontline pacers.

The return of two stalwarts of the game will definitely keep India in right stead. Bumrah has several tricks up his sleeve and has matured as a bowler in the last year or so. On the other hand, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also one of the best bets for India, especially in the white ball formats.

X-factor Hardik Pandya

Though Pandya’s role in the Test team has been questioned, there is hardly any doubt about the fact that he is an asset to the limited overs side. In familiar subcontinental conditions, he is a phenomenal player. His all-round abilities will also provide India with an opportunity to play an extra batsman or bowler depending on the situation of the match.

In the previous Asia Cup, he performed quite admirably. In the match against Pakistan, he bagged three crucial wickets. Besides that, he is a powerful striker of the ball and can decimate any bowling attack on his day.

The wrist spinners

The wrist spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal has been quite exceptional for the national team in the recent past. Kuldeep Yadav waved his magic against England bagging a 5 wicket haul in the final T20I. The left-arm chinaman bowler also bagged a 6 wicket haul in the opening ODI.

However, after the 1^st ODI, the English batters started tackling him well. On the other hand, Chahal played the supporting role to perfection in England. The duo bagged 33 wickets between them in the series against South Africa. Both played a crucial role as India won the series by a 5-1 margin.