Team India is all set to begin their Asia Cup journey on Tuesday against minnows Hong Kong followed by the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. These two games will decide India’s future in this tournament. But for Rohit Sharma, it’s a litmus test of his leadership skills.
Rohit has lead India successfully on several occasion but a tournament like Asia Cup is surely a bigger deal. Moreover, he will lead the pack against Pakistan for the first time in his career. Ahead of the beginning of India’s Asia Cup campaign, the stand-in Indian skipper is ‘nervous but excited as well.”
“I am excited as well as nervous. It is a big tournament for me. I know all the boys well. I understand them well which is necessary,” said Rohit.
He is also eyeing to solve the riddle of the middle batting order, which was evident during the recent ODI series defeat in England.
Rohit made it clear that the likes of Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu are fighting for the key middle-order slots.
“Lot of spots are up for grabs like Nos 3, 4 and 6. All these guys (Kedar, Manish, Rayudu) are eyeing for those slots. We want to give chances to as many guys for this particular series. In this tournament, we need to seal the batting slot Nos 4 and 6," Rohit said on the eve of the lung opener against Hong Kong.
Somewhere Rohit's answer was an indication that Mahendra Singh Dhoni will bat at number five.
On the other hand, Ambati Rayudu is back in the side after passing the YoYo test. Also, Kedar Jadhav is back having recovered from a hamstring surgery.
“They are both important members of this team. Rayudu was originally part of England series and similarly Kedar before his injury. It was unfortunate that they couldn't play for some time and I am very happy that both are back in the team. I expect them to win matches for India,” said Rohit.
Rohit didn't reveal whether he was open to rotating bowlers in this searing Dubai heat but did say that performers should be given a longer run.
“I haven't thought about it right now. We want to see how each individual reacts to different situations. At the same time, we want to give chance to as many guys as possible but also give more opportunities to those who are consistent. We would see how individuals respond to conditions and take decisions accordingly,” said Rohit.
He was all praise for little-known left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed, who has been included in the team more for variation than domestic performance, which has been ordinary at best. “He is a great addition and has tools to succeed at the highest level," the skipper said.
More than Hong Kong, it is the change in climate that might bother the players, coming from the cooler confines of English weather.
“It will be a challenge as a lot of our guys are coming from England. Some of us have been here for four days now and we are getting used to it.”