Asia Cup 2018: India Have Been A Stick Above The Rest, Says Stephen Fleming
Published - 28 Sep 2018, 02:29 PM
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Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is impressed with the performance of India in the ongoing Asia Cup and they are looking confident for the next year World Cup. India should be concerned about the injuries of the bowling duo, Jasprit Bumrah, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In addition to this, Stephen Fleming thinks India needs to develop their pace battery. Furthermore, they should also think about the correct replacement if needed.
India has ticked the right boxes in the recent past and would aim to bring their best to the table. They have been a dominant side in the limited overs format and are firm favourites for the next year World Cup.
However, the Men in Blue is a strong contender and they will try to put pressure on the English soil for the 2019 World Cup.
“They look like a strong side and might also be the favourites but it’s a hot English summer next year and it would really be injuries to Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) or (Jasprit) Bumrah that you need to be concerned about. So you need to develop the pace better and replacement players just in case. It will be summer in England and you might need some seam bowling,” Fleming said while talking to Mail Today.
Kumar and Bumrah are being sensational throughout the year. Ravindra Jadeja has made a good comeback after the injury of Hardik Pandya. Moreover, Ambati Rayudu also batted well in the last match against Afghanistan. Stephen Fleming also thinks that New Zealand, Australia, and England also have a chance to win the next year’s World Cup.
“But with (Ravindra) Jadeja coming in with a good performance and (Ambati) Rayudu batting well, I think India is in good shape. I believe other than India, New Zealand, Australia and hosts England are my choices to win the World Cup,” Fleming, who is part of the Star Sports Select Dugout expert panel,” Stephen Fleming added.
Furthermore, the Chennai Super Kings coach is blindly following the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai. He termed the tournament as “interesting” and is particularly impressed by Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Tigers will play the final against India on September 28, 2018 (Friday).
