Asia Cup 2018: Before Pak battle, India to sharpen tools vs Hong Kong today
India will look to finetune their playing 11 in today's Asia Cup 2018 match against Hong Kong before going into their much-anticipated clash with arch-rivals Pakistan
 "Asia Cup 2018, India")
premium
Indian cricket players during practice session ahead of Hong Kong match in Dubai. Photo: PTI
In Match 4 of Asia Cup 2018, India, led by stand-in captain Rohit Sharma, will lock horns with Hong Kong at Dubai International Stadium in United Arab Emirates today. A formidable India will be aiming to make short work of minnows Hong Kong in their Asia Cup opener before getting battle-ready for their much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. Even without regular skipper Virat Kohli, the Indian side is an intimidating one in the limited-overs format. However, Hong Kong, who were crushed by Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack in their opening tie, will look to pose a stiff challenge. India will look to finetune their playing 11 against Hong Kong before going to the much-anticipated clash with arch-rivals Pakistan.
India Team News
Even as it is being seen by many as a warm-up game, Rohit Sharma and his colleagues won't want to take Hong Kong lightly. Even so, this may help India check their preparedness and make course correction, if necessary, before the all-important India vs Pakistan match the very next day.
For the past few years, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's waning batting skills have repeatedly come under scanner and this tournament will give everyone a fair idea of his ideal position. Whether he should be playing at number 5, 6 or 7 will be the big question before the Pakistan game. Possibly, Kedar Jadhav or Manish Pandey at number 5 and Hardik Pandya with his big hitting abilities at number 7 could prove ideal foil for the former India captain if he decides to come in at number 6.
Of late, India’s middle order has been an issue and needs to be sorted well ahead of the ICC World Cup in 2019. It is expected that K L Rahul will bat at number 3 in the absence of Virat Kohli. However, on flat decks with little movement from white kookaburra, the Indian batsmen could play their customary 'hitting on the rise' game with minimal footwork.
The Hong Kong encounter could be a match simulator for the likes of Dhawan, Rahul and Pandya, who will have to adjust to the different length and pace of the track. The Bumrah-Bhuvneshwar combination will be back in action along with the Kuldeep-Chahal spin combo, which has been a steady set-up for the past year.
India Team News
Even as it is being seen by many as a warm-up game, Rohit Sharma and his colleagues won't want to take Hong Kong lightly. Even so, this may help India check their preparedness and make course correction, if necessary, before the all-important India vs Pakistan match the very next day.
For the past few years, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's waning batting skills have repeatedly come under scanner and this tournament will give everyone a fair idea of his ideal position. Whether he should be playing at number 5, 6 or 7 will be the big question before the Pakistan game. Possibly, Kedar Jadhav or Manish Pandey at number 5 and Hardik Pandya with his big hitting abilities at number 7 could prove ideal foil for the former India captain if he decides to come in at number 6.
Of late, India’s middle order has been an issue and needs to be sorted well ahead of the ICC World Cup in 2019. It is expected that K L Rahul will bat at number 3 in the absence of Virat Kohli. However, on flat decks with little movement from white kookaburra, the Indian batsmen could play their customary 'hitting on the rise' game with minimal footwork.
The Hong Kong encounter could be a match simulator for the likes of Dhawan, Rahul and Pandya, who will have to adjust to the different length and pace of the track. The Bumrah-Bhuvneshwar combination will be back in action along with the Kuldeep-Chahal spin combo, which has been a steady set-up for the past year.