Arshdeep Singh delivered an impressive Super Over, ensuring India’s victory ©Getty
India heads into the Asia Cup final against Pakistan on Sunday with an undefeated record. However, their performance so far has not been flawless, revealing that they still have room for improvement as they prepare to defend their World Cup title at home.
In a game against Sri Lanka that was essentially a formality, Arshdeep Singh’s remarkable Super Over clinched the win. India’s ability to come out on top was expected; they have now won all six of their tied matches, including one decided by a bowl-out, demonstrating their capability to perform under pressure. What surprised many was their struggle to defend their total during significant portions of the second innings.
Morne Morkel, the bowling coach, expressed candidly, “We are not the finished product yet, and we recognize that. Fortunately, we’ve managed to win, though sometimes in less than ideal ways. We must keep learning and improving as we look ahead to Sunday.”
The team acknowledges that they haven’t played a complete game yet in this tournament, emphasizing the need for discussions after every match regarding areas for improvement. Despite their victories against Oman, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, India experienced phases of loss of control. With a home World Cup approaching, the focus is less on surviving matches in Dubai and more on delivering a complete performance when it counts most.
Batting remains an area of concern. India recognizes they have missed opportunities to score runs in challenging conditions, especially for middle-order batsmen facing the older ball. The performance of Suryakumar Yadav, who has struggled significantly in T20Is despite his successful IPL season, adds to these worries.
India has also encountered challenges with their bowling, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah finishing his three overs early, leaving them vulnerable at the death. Morkel emphasized the need for improvement in their length, accuracy, and adaptability under pressure, particularly in the crucial phases of the match. Despite these challenges, there were positives, such as solid performances from certain players and the resilience shown by Arshdeep in the Super Over.
India may still be unbeaten and have navigated challenging scenarios effectively, but a flawless game eludes them. The upcoming match against Pakistan will be a critical test of whether their experiences and resilience outweigh the mistakes made along the way.
© Cricbuzz
