Positives enough for India to tally in their Asia Cup 2023 victory, including thudding victories, a fire middle order, and a ferocious pace pack

Positives enough for India to tally in their Asia Cup 2023 victory

In addition to resolving some of their immediate concerns in time for the World Cup, India’s victory at the Asia Cup improved their morale.

The sound of the fireworks and crackers could be heard as Rohit Sharma, who was beaming from ear to ear, took his seat for the news conference. The Indian captain had to pause briefly due to the noise’s loudness. The crowd would erupt in laughter when he said, “This can wait till the World Cup is won,” in his signature tongue-in-cheek manner. India has addressed everyone of the doubts that anyone may have had about this team over the past week. Furthermore, Rohit has target-locked the World Cup that starts in a fortnight at home because of his ruthless performance in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.

There were many puzzles waiting for India when they got there in Sri Lanka. They appeared to be a team still figuring out their best lineup with only one month until the World Cup. They included batters whose forms had not yet been determined. There were those who had recovered from wounds.

However, India had a fully functional squad available to them for the first time in more than a year. Even though they lost their group matches in Pallekele to Pakistan and Nepal, they were still able to recover and don the game mask that Rohit has been requesting for a while. In Colombo, they displayed all the characteristics of peaking at the appropriate time against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

On Sunday, they bowled out Sri Lanka for a pitiful 50 in 15.2 overs before chasing it down in 6.1 overs thanks to their ruthless and clinical performance. They won their sixth Asia Cup in only 21.3 overs. After posting their largest margin of victory (228 runs) in terms of runs, they have now posted their largest margin of victory (263 balls remaining) in less than a week.

Before the World Cup, India urgently needed such performances to boost their spirits. Although there is no assurance that this victory will lead to success at the World Cup, they frequently serve as a catalyst for greater things. We feel really confident coming here and winning a competition like this. We faced problems in many areas of the game during the competition, and we largely overcame those obstacles, he said.

He dwelled on the advantages. “We performed well under varied circumstances and bowling styles. We can learn a lot of good things from the competition. not just one or two, but the entire group of participants. Everyone who was given the chance tried their best, according to Rohit.

A middle-order resolution

India’s middle order appeared calm during the two intense matches against Pakistan, despite the overwhelming victory on Sunday. If Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya were able to carry them beyond a shaky start to a par total, their top-order demonstrated in the second game that they can bat in various gears. “A few of our hitters acted as though they were under pressure. Two players defended us in the first game against Pakistan when we were four behind and losing. We wanted the middle order to enter and take the weight off of them so they could bat whatever they wanted, so the excellent batting of Hardik (Pandya) and Ishan (Kishan) was a major plus,” Rohit said.

Even KL Rahul, who rejoined the squad after a four-month injury layoff, demonstrated why India needs him in the middle-order, where he is quickly becoming a formidable opponent. Rahul’s actions behind the wicket were excellent, even with the keeping gloves on. He has developed into a kind of trusted sounding board for the spinners as well. “It is extremely difficult to come in and play the manner he did for KL (Rahul) to hit that century. We told him five minutes before the game, and for him to score 100 points, it demonstrated the caliber of the player he is and his mental preparedness, according to Rohit.

In pursuit of batting depth, Mohammed Shami was benched, and India’s bowling unit once again performed admirably as a group. This attack has proven to be able to strike in groups over time. Jasprit Bumrah’s aggression and sharpness are very encouraging from a larger perspective, despite the fact that the tale was the same here. Bumrah displayed perfect control with the new ball in all three of the Colombo games, was precise with his line and length, and delivered crucial blows. Without an outright pacer in the middle overs, Kuldeep Yadav demonstrated how far he has come as a lead spinner by taking five wickets against Pakistan, then adding four more to claim the Man of the Series title.

Rohit gave him appreciation. “Kuldeep performs when put under pressure. Every time he bowls, his confidence grows. It’s wonderful to have a bowler like him on the team. I feel a great sense of satisfaction watching bowlers bowl like this,” he remarked.

The fact that the attacks were multifaceted is good news for the captain. “The five bowlers all have a wide range of styles. As a captain, you feel assured once you have all of this. This group has such variety, said Rohit.