Asia Cup 2018: Match 4, India vs Hong Kong, Preview- Men in Blue challenge awaits associate giant

India are likely to rest some of their players, who played in the England Test series.

Published - 17 Sept 2018, 16:17 IST | Updated - 17 Sept 2018, 16:17 IST

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It goes without saying that India are expected to be the favourites when they take the field at Dubai International Cricket Stadium against Hong Kong in their first match of the 2018 Asia Cup. After their hectic tour of England, the Men in Blue didn’t get much of an opportunity to take a break, but most of their limited-overs players didn’t play the five-match Test series against Joe Root and Co.

The same is expected to keep the players afresh ahead of their first match against the qualifiers. Hong Kong after beating teams like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nepal in the qualifying round, both of whom have ODI status, slumped against Sarfraz Ahmed’s Pakistan and their task against the World Number one team isn’t expected to be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imaginations.

India have played 74 ODIs in the UAE, but it will be the first instance when they will play in Dubai. Previously, India, led by MS Dhoni, played a One-Dayer against Hong Kong back in the 2008 Asia Cup in Pakistan and thrashed them comprehensively. As far as the ongoing 50-overs tournament is concerned, Rohit Sharma’s men will dearly want to kick-start their campaign on a resounding note.

Team Combination

India

India are likely to rest some of their players, who played in the England Test series. Ambati Rayudu, who missed the England series after failing the yo-yo test, will get a chance. Manish Pandey was excellent for India ‘B’ in the quadrangular series and is expected to bat at number three. Kedar Jadhav returns to the Indian team after his hamstring injury ever since the prestigious IPL.

Khaleel Ahmed may get his maiden international cap. MS Dhoni, who had a break after the limited-overs series, returns to the national setup. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are the opening batsmen. Hardik Pandya is expected to make the eleven. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will shoulder the spin department. The onus will also be on fast-bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Predicted XI

Rohit Sharma (C) Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed

Hong Kong

Hong Kong may sideline fast-bowler Ehsan Nawaz and give right-arm pace Tanveer Ahmed an opportunity to showcase his prowess with the leather. Nizakat Khan and captain Anshuman Rath are undoubtedly the opening batsmen. Babar Hayat, who has a reputation of being a brutal hitter of the cricket ball, need to step up with a substantial score.

Kinchit Shah and Aizaz Khan played decently in the half-century run-stand against Pakistan and their role will be vital. Aizaz was also pretty decent with his medium pacers. Albeit Ehsan Khan couldn’t deliver with the willow, he picked up Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam. Tanwir Afzal was economical with the new ball. Left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed will also need to step up to the plate.

Predicted XI

Nizakat Khan, Anshuman Rath (C), Babar Hayat, Christopher Carter, Kinchit Shah, Ehsan Khan, Aizaz Khan, Scott McKechnie (wk), Tanwir Afzal, Tanveer Ahmed, Nadeem Ahmed

Players to watch out for

Rohit Sharma- India

The 31-year-old, after being named the captain, will be hoping to stamp his authority in the multi-nation tournament. His power-hitting prowess has helped India win a number of matches and Hong Kong will be in with a tough task of restricting the might of the opening batsman. In the English tour, he scored two hundreds at Bristol and Nottingham respectively.

Babar Hayat- Hong Kong

The swashbuckling batsman is the leading run scorer for Hong Kong in ODIs and quite expectantly, his team will be looking up to the 26-year-old in their do-or-die match against Rohit Sharma’s men. Against Pakistan, he strained to find his feet after which the Attock-born batter succumbed to the guile and trajectory of leg-break bowler Shadab Khan.