Asia Cup 2018: Match 4 - India vs Hong Kong - Preview

India will face depleted Hong Kong side in the fourth match of the Asia Cup 2018. Men in Blue will like to get off the mark in the tournament whereas Hong Kong will like to stay alive. Rohit Sharma will hold the captaincy reins in the absence of full-time skipper Virat Kohli. Thus, it would be a perfect opportunity for the interim captain to take India to glory.

Meanwhile, there are some issues that India will like to overcome or get better at. On the top of the team’s rendezvous – would be the number four position. Who will win the musical chair game would be interesting to note?. However, India will want some runs from the position especially in the absence of their run machine – Virat Kohli.

India will like to sort out some middle order issues.

The onus will be on the captain – Rohit Sharma and his deputy Shikhar Dhawan to give a solid platform to the side. As there is inexperience in the middle order, these two experienced campaigners will like to build a strong base.

In fact, India might want to give a chance to veteran MS Dhoni at the troublesome number four position. It is also imperative for the team management to give a longer rope to a particular player at number four place.

On the other hand, Hong Kong will like to put a much better show to the table than they did against Pakistan. They will know that a loss against the Indians will mean the Super Four stage door will close for them.

Thus, they will like to give their best shot. In fact, the Hong Kong side should try and express themselves. They have nothing to lose and they can just go out there and enjoy their game.

Men in Blue will like to get off the mark.

Nobody expects them to win against India, which releases a lot of pressure of their shoulders. However, it is pivotal for them to believe that they can win. Consequently, they will know that each player will need to play at 200% to beat the rank number two ODI side.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will return to the side and India will receive a shot in the arm. The spin battery of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav has been lethal in the recent times. Therefore, the tweakers will like to continue with their good show. Meanwhile, India can rest Jasprit Bumrah and Khaleel Ahmed can get his maiden ODI cap.

India will like to settle their nerves before the high octane clash against Pakistan by opening their account against Hong Kong. However, it is also crucial to take 0ne game at a time. Thus, Rohit Sharma will be telling his team, “Ok boys, let’s go out there and defeat Hong Kong first before we think about Pakistan. In fact, it is hard for the players to get the contest against Pakistan out of their mind.

Hong Kong will like to show the stomach for a fight.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong lacked the basics in the previous match against Pakistan. Their opener Nizakat Khan tried to evade a throw rather than grounding his bat back into the crease.

Consequently, he had to pay the price. Thus, it is pivotal for Hong Kong to try and avoid making these silly mistakes when they lock horns against the big teams. In fact, there is a lot to learn for them by noticing their opponents.

Date and Time: 18 September 2018, 5:00 pm IST.

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.

Pitch Conditions: The pitch is going to be on the slower side and the spinners are going to come into action. Hong Kong will be up for the challenge against quality Indian wrist spinners.

Weather Conditions: The temperature is going to hover around the 40 Degree Celsius. Thus, the players will have to deal with another hot day in Dubai.

India’s Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed.

Hong Kong’s Predicted XI:  Nizakat Khan, Anshuman Rath, Babar Hayat, Christopher Carter, Kinchit Shah, Ehsan Khan, Aizaz Khan, Scott McKenchie, Tanwir Afzal, Ehsan Nawaz, Nadeem Ahmed.

Stats:

India and Hong Kong have met once in the ODIs. The match was played in the 2008 edition of the Asia Cup in which India went on to win by a gargantuan margin of 256 runs.

Kuldeep Yadav who has played 23 ODIs thus far, needs two more wickets to get to 50 ODI wickets. If the chinaman does it against Hong Kong, he will become the second quickest Indian to get to the personal milestone – behind Ajit Agarkar (23 ODIs).