Asia Cup: All-rounders in focus as India consider spin options for UAE opener

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New Delhi: India would bank of all-rounders to provide balance and have to decide on how many spinners they need to beat hosts United Arab Emirates in their Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Wednesday.

With an eye on the crunch Pakistan game on September 14, India would hope to use the UAE game as a dress rehearsal to get their combinations in order.

Shubman Gill’s re-entry into the team after being named vice-captain has forced a re-alignment in strategy as Sanju Samson is likely to be the casualty.

Gill and Abhishek Sharma look to be the preferred openers with Tilak Verma chosen to bat at No.3 followed by Surykumar Yadav. Seam bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is at No. 5, ahead of big-hitting left-hander Shivam Dube and keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma.

Since head coach Gautam Gambhir prefers batting depth, left-arm spinner and a useful hitter Axar Patel could take the No. 8 slot, followed by pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and India’s most successful T2OI bowler Arshdeep Singh.

Fresher-looking pitch

It leaves only one spot open for consideration, which would be decided after determining the nature of the Dubai track. India had opted for four spinners when they won the Champions Trophy at the same ground in March.

But with the pitch looking greener and fresher now, it is expected to offer more bounce and carry, which could pave the way for only one frontline spinner between Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy to be in the playing XI.

UAE are eager to make a mark with their Indian origin players under their Indian coach Lalchand Rajput.

“We had a good preparation playing the three nation T20 tournament in Sharjah. We had Pakistan five down for less than 100 in one game. We should have closed that game,” Rajput told PTI.

“Against India, we know it is a tough game but also an opportunity to test ourselves against the best in world cricket. It is a tough match but I am a Khadoos Mumbaikar. My boys won’t let India have it easy.”

Teams (from):

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh.

United Arab Emirates: Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Ethan D’Souza, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Matiullah Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra, Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Saghir Khan.

Match Starts: 8 pm IST.

Live broadcast on Sony Sports Network.

Live streaming on Sony LIV app.