Asia Cup 2018: SWOT Analysis of the Indian Team

The prestigious Asia Cup is upon us.

The 14th edition of the Asia Cup is scheduled to be played at the United Nations Emirates soil from September 15th to 28th. The defending champions India will be competing against 5 other nations to continue their reign. Unlike the last Asia Cup, this time the competing format will be ODI cricket.

India features in Group A with their arch-rivals Pakistan and the side which will win the ongoing Asia Cup qualifiers (final match on 6th Sept) to earn an opportunity to compete in the prestigious tournament. Group B features Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

India’s opening clash is scheduled to be against the qualifier-winning team on Sept 18th. The following day is a much-awaited game as India will be taking on Pakistan on Sept 19th at Dubai.

After some dismal performances by India in the ODI series and the ongoing Test series against England, India has a great chance to regain the momentum the team had earlier captured when it had won the Nidahas Trophy and the T20 series against Ireland and England earlier this year. India will enter the tournament as the defending champions which is a great advantage to have ahead of this tournament.

The Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2018 has already been announced. Rohit Sharma will don the skippers hat as the regular skipper Virat Kohli was rested for the tournament.

Here's the announced 16-member squad.

Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan (vc), MS Dhoni (wk), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed.

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#1 Strengths

The in-form Rohit Sharma will lead the batting line-up

This squad consists of a number of extremely talented and dangerous batsmen who are more than capable of decimating the opposition from the get-go. Under the leadership of the prolific right-hander Rohit Sharma, the side features specialist batsmen like Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni and KL Rahul who can decimate the strongest of bowling attacks.

Manish Pandey and Ambati Rayudu, both are in tremendous form and have scored runs in the domestic circuit to make their respective comebacks. They have played a number of games for India before and have done well on numerous occasions. All-rounders Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav are capable enough to strike big down the order.

The wrist spin duo of Kul-Cha has a big responsibility

The UAE generally features spin-friendly pitches which is great for India as the wrist-spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav can wreak havoc with their precise lengths and variations. Jasprit Bumrah has delivered quite well against England so far and with the comeback of Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, the Indian pace department is complete and ready to give the oppositions some hard times at the crease.

These two fine pacers, working as a team, are well regarded for their abilities with the new ball as well as at the death overs. With them hunting as a duo, it will certainly won't be good news for any opposition.

#2 Weakness

Middle Order depends on Ambati Rayudu (L) and Manish Pandey (R)

Middle-order is a major concern for Team India as we have seen in the recent times. The middle order has failed to lift India out of troubles whenever a set batsman departs. The absence of Kohli will leave a void in the middle order.

Without a flick of doubt, players like Manish Pandey, Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav are there to hold the fort but we can't rule out the fact that with their comebacks, there will also be an added pressure on them to perform well.

MS Dhoni, one of the finest finishers ever to grace the game, was booed in England for his slow play. Now, as we have seen in the past, Dhoni thrives under pressure but with Dhoni's failed showings with the blade in the recent times, there is a major challenge in front of him to deliver with his bat - either as a finisher down the order or as a middle-order enforcer who can provide the team with crucial partnerships whenever required.

MS Dhoni's batting abilities need no introduction. The master of re-inventing has a lot of responsibiities to take care of in this tournament

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar was injured during the England tour and as a result, was ruled out of the Test series. He has been nursing the same and while he is medically fit to compete now, his form will be a major factor for India as he is the specialist bowler who has to bowl 10 overs a match. The schedule is pretty tight too as India has to play 2 consecutive matches on Sept 18th and 19th. So, his fitness and form will be something to look out for.

The debutant Khaleel Ahmed has a lot to prove and there will be pressure on him to deliver well. The 20-year old pacer from Rajasthan isn't very experienced on the domestic circuit as well since he made his first-class debut last year and List A debut in February this year. He has earned the ODI cap by impressing the selectors with his abilities but a lot of eyes will be on him and he has a major responsibility on his shoulders.

#3 Opportunities

Khaleel Ahmed(L) and Shardul Thakur(R) have earned a great opportunity to showcase their skills

The Indian squad consists of players who are hungry to prove their mettle. Some have earned a comeback after being axed from the team, some experienced players struggled with their respective forms and hence have a lot to prove, and for Shardul Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed, the fresh faces, it is an opportunity of a lifetime. No shortage of talent, just a pool of hungry cricketers who are willing to give their best.

The regular vice-captain Rohit Sharma has to lead well in the absence of the regular captain Virat Kohli. In Dec 2017, he led India for the first time in his career and the team won the ODI series against Sri Lanka 2-1. Under his leadership, India won the Nidahas Trophy earlier this year as well. In conclusion, India has done well with Rohit as the skipper and this is a major opportunity for him to showcase his leading skills.

With MS Dhoni, one of the most successful captains of India in the team, Rohit has a great mentor and advisor to learn further and discuss the strategies in the times of need.

#4 Threats

Hardik Pandya is having an immensely busy cricketing season

Indian players have been playing a lot of cricket lately. Right from the start of the year, they have been playing continuous tournaments like the South Africa series in January-February, Nidahas Trophy in March, IPL in April-May, Ireland in June and England series from July to present. Players like Bumrah and Bhuvaneshwar were injured earlier. A lot of pressure was on Hardik Pandya who, being an all-rounder, was vital in all the aforementioned tournaments.

So much cricket lately, followed by Asia Cup where successive matches are scheduled to be played, may result in fatigue. Keeping the squad inury-free side is a major challenge for Team India.