Asia Cup 2018: Laxman Sivaramakrishnan Feels it's the Preparation for World Cup 2019

Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan feels the Asia Cup 2018 will help India prepare for the ICC World Cup 2019 slated to be held next year in England and Wales. He stated that India should look at the tournament as an opportunity. So that, they could get their combination right for the quadrennial event.

Sivaramakrishnan said that though India is the most successful side in the Asia Cup with six titles under their belt, their main plan must be to identify the exact combination for the World Cup slated to be played in the United Kingdom (UK) next summer.

“No side has held aloft the Asia Cup more often than India, the six-time winners. But while the defending champions, without regular skipper Virat Kohli, will seek to extend that streak to seven, their long-term plan must be to identify the combination that will do duty at the World Cup in England and Wales next summer,” Sivaramakrishnan stated.

 

“On the evidence of the fare they dished out in the tournament-opener against Pakistan on Sunday, Hong Kong is unlikely to run India close. Rohit Sharma, the stand-in captain, and coach Ravi Shastri should use Tuesday’s match against the qualifiers. And the entire tournament as such, to obtain greater clarity in their bid to button down the ideal eleven for next year’s showpiece showdown,” he asserted.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan feels that Hardik Pandya is a quality limited overs players

Meanwhile, all-rounder, Hardik Pandya has been criticised by all and sundry for his below-par performances in England.

However, Sivaramakrishnan stated that Pandya has shown what he is capable of doing in white-ball cricket. If Men in Blue can get a solid foundation, then Pandya will come into effect. And he will look to score some quick runs.

“It is imperative that in the 20 or so matches before the World Cup. India continues to groom Pandya as the finisher. If he can bat consistently at No. 6, or towards the closing stages of the innings if the top-order has batted deep. It will give him a greater sense of comfort when the World Cup comes around,” Sivaramakrishnan wrote in his column for the ToI.

Pandya has shown that in white-ball cricket, he is a fearsome ball-striker. If he can continue his breathtaking strokeplay with enhanced consistency, it will make for a potent mix.

“Axar Patel’s inclusion will in no way detract from the batting depth – Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma obviously, KL Rahul, MS Dhoni,” Laxman Sivaramakrishnan added.

Asia Cup 2018: India takes on Hong Kong:

The Men in Blue open their account in the Asia Cup with the match against Hong Kong. The all-important game between India and Pakistan will commence on September 19. And it would be energy sapping day for India to play back-to-back 50-over matches.