Team India started their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against the arch-rivals Pakistan on September 02 in Pallekele. The next two and a half months will be very important for Team India as the two big events, Asia Cup and ODI World Cup 2023 coming up. Today, we will do the SWOT analysis of Team India for the Asia Cup 2023. We will see the strengths, weaknesses, and much more. So let’s dive into it quickly.
Asia Cup 2023 gets underway
We have already seen two games in the Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan is off to a winning start against Nepal in a tournament opener. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, gets over the line in a tricky run chase of 165 in the 2nd game.
As we are writing this article, the 3rd game between India and Pakistan going on. Team India is 66 for 4 right now. Pakistani pacers have made life difficult for the top order.
Some selection hurdles for Team India
Ajit Agarkar led the selection panel and has taken some calls regarding the Indian team’s Asia Cup 2023 squad selection. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are back in the team. But the latter will miss the first two games in the tournament.
They also left Yuzvendra Chahal out of the squad. This gives a clear indication that they are not considering him as the first-choice wrist spinner for the ICC World Cup 2023. But as captain Rohit Sharma said, the doors are still not closed for any player. Let’s see how it goes.
Surprise call-up for Tilak and Prasidh
The selectors decided to have Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna in the 17-man squad for the Asia Cup 2023. Tilak has done well in the last two IPL seasons and has impressed in the West Indies T20Is as well. Prasidh Krishna is a backup option for fast bowlers.
Now let’s do the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of Team India for the Asia Cup 2023.
Strengths of Team India
The overall balance of the teams looks great. They have a very good batting lineup in the team along with the pace attack. Kuldeep Yadav will be the wrist-spinning option with some all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur in the team.
The only call Team India has to take in is either to play three out-and-out fast bowlers or to play an all-rounder at No. 8. Right now, Shardul is playing as an all-round option and M Shami has to sit out in the first game.
In some games, Axar Patel might play if the conditions favor him.
Weakness in the team
As we discussed earlier, Team India has to sit out one of the three pacers (Jasprit Bumrah, M Shami, and M Siraj) to make up for the batting lineup. It will make the bowling look less threatening. Although the bowling is still good enough, playing all three pacers gives a more wicket-taking opportunity.
India hasn’t played much ODI cricket in the last few years
Team India hasn’t played much of ODI cricket in the last few years. They have prioritized T20 cricket other than test cricket due to the two back-to-back T20 WCs. Also, the strongest playing XI of Team India hasn’t played together for a while. This is also one of the weak factors in the team.
Opportunities: Team India
Team India has the opportunity to rectify itself in the Asia Cup 2023. They failed to reach the final of the last edition of the tournament in 2022. That tournament was held in T20I format.
Although when the last time, the Asia Cup was held in the ODI format in 2018, Team India won the tournament by beating Bangladesh in the close-fought final. They have the opportunity to defend the title this time around.
Threats for Team India
In the last few years or so, we have seen Team India’s batting lineup struggling against the spinners. Especially when the wicket is slow and turning where the ball might not come onto the bat. Most of the batters in Team India are stroke makers who love to get bat on the ball.
In Sri Lanka, they got the conditions where the ball might not come onto the bat as they wanted. This is one of the major threats for Team India in the Asia Cup 2023. The batters have to adjust their game plan and shot-making selection according to the conditions on offer.
India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023:-
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav
Conclusion
So this is the SWOT analysis of India in the Asia Cup 2023. They have a very good side who can win the tournament. Let’s see how they go about their business.
What are your predictions? Will Team India win the Asia Cup 2023? Comment down below.
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