With the Asia Cup just under a week away, India batter Ajinkya Rahane picked 5 players who he feels will create an impact for India in the tournament. India are set to be captained by Suryakumar Yadav with Shubman Gill as his deputy and will start their campaign against UAE on September 10.
They will then face off with arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on September 14 and conclude their group stage commitments with a match against Oman on September 19. India are designated hosts, although the tournament will be played in the venues in UAE. India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are slotted in Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong are in Group B.
Rahane on Axar Patel
“I feel he is a very much underrated player. He has improved as a player, as a cricketer in the last two to three years. He has done really well. Whenever he’s got an opportunity as a batter, as a bowler, he has performed really well for the team. He can bowl with the new ball in the powerplay, he can bowl in the middle phase as well, and if needed, he can bowl in death overs.”
“As a captain, when you have a player like Axar Patel in the team, you are always happy. Let’s not forget about his fielding ability as well. And also, Asia Cup is in Dubai. Most probably, the wickets will favor the spinners. So, Axar’s skill work and also experience will come in handy for the team.”
Rahane on Hardik Pandya
Hardik’s role in this Asia Cup will be really important. As an all-rounder, he has done really well for the team in the past. Coming at No. 5 and 6 as a batter, creating that impact, playing with a high strike rate, reading the situation, and playing according to it, he has done it all. I’m sure he can do it again.”
“What I would like to see from Hardik is bowling his four overs for the team. If he can do that, bowl those four overs, the team can actually have a very good balance.”
Rahane on Suryakumar Yadav
“Didn’t have a good series against England, but came back to form in IPL with five fifties and finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with a healthy strike rate. We all know Surya is a dangerous batter. In this format, he has done really well. But it will be interesting to see how he goes about his batting, especially after the surgery.”
Story continues below this ad
“As a captain, he has been fantastic. He is a proactive captain, led the team really well in the past, but I feel, in this Asia Cup, his batting will be really important.”
Rahane on Jasprit Bumrah
“I really look forward to see Jasprit Bumrah in the Asia Cup. He hasn’t played any T20I internationals this year. but he has been doing really well in the shorter format. his form recently has been really great. He can come in, bowl at any time and create impact, bowl those tight overs and win you those matches. His ability we all know, he’s a match winner but even if Bumrah doesn’t puck up any wickets, he can bowl those tight overs so that others will get that reward. Having Bumrah in your team is always an advantage.
Rahane on Arshdeep Singh
“I am excited to see Arshdeep Singh bowling with Bumrah. We all know his ability, his skill work. He can swing the ball both ways but also he can bowl those yorkers with the new ball and that’s a very good skill to have. You don’t want to depend every time on Bumrah or any other bowler. Arshdeep can bowl those yorkers, straight yorkers, wide yorkers. As I said earlier also, he can bluff the batsman. he has the slower ball and he has the ability to pick up wickets.
