5 issues India need to resolve at the Asia Cup 

#1 Back up pacers

England v India - 3rd ODI: Royal London One-Day Series

With Bhuvneswar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah in their ranks, India possesses one of the finest pace bowling attacks in the world. With both of them fit and firing, India have barely anything to worry about. However, as the England series showed, India have a cause for concern when the two are not available or want to play an extra fast bowler.

In England, Umesh Yadav and Siddharth Kaul played the first two games and failed to take wickets or control the run rate. Both took a combined four wickets in two games between them and their economy was of more than six per over. Not surprisingly, neither has retained his place in the squad for the Asia Cup.

Shardul Thakur who played a game each in both England and South Africa makes the squad. In four ODI games, Thakur has taken six-wicket at an economy of 5.56. Having impressed in the few opportunities given to him, he is currently leading the race for the third pacer.

Uncapper pacer Khaleel Ahmed is the fourth pacer in the team. The 20-year old has taken 28 wickets in 17 List A games at an economy of 4.74. The Rajasthani quick might be the left arm pacer India has been looking for ever since Zaheer Khan's retirement.

The problem for India is both of them barely have any international experience. In the 9 months left for the world cup, the team management needs to give them as many games as possible. The need to give adequate rest to both Bhuvenshwar Kumar and Bumrah is also very important due to their fitness concerns.

With the Asia cup games being so tightly scheduled, India needs to rotate their pacers and this gives Shardul Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed a great opportunity to make a mark. If not, the selectors will have their task cut out to find the third and fourth pacer in time for the world cup. Or else, India will just have to hope and pray that their two primary fast bowlers stay fit.

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