Robin Uthappa suggests that the Indian captain and management are trying to fix something that is not broken.
India suffered consecutive defeats in their super four fixtures of the Asia Cup, 2022. After losing to Pakistan on Sunday, India faced a similar fate against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. After Rohit’s quick 72 off 41 deliveries, the finishers failed to capitalize and ended their innings at 173, which looked below par. While chasing, Srilanka were in command right from the first ball. They scored 90 runs in the first 10 overs without losing a wicket. The Indian bowlers were unable to put pressure on the Lankans. The spinners did put on a fair show, but the pacers let India down and Srilanka chased down the target having 6 wickets in hand. They now sit right at the top of the super four points table. India ranks third and their chances of reaching the finals look bleak at the moment.
Robin Uthappa raises concern about India’s newly aggressive approach
Indian wicket-keeper, Robin Uthappa, doubts India’s starting XI selection. He pointed out that India is not placing players in their respective roles and positions. He said,
“See, I have always maintained this from the first game. You need to have horses for courses in the sense that you need to have players who play well in certain positions. What India has done in the last couple of games is that they have brought in personnel who aren’t playing in their ideal position.”
He further gave an example of Deepak Hooda who was struggling to find his rhythm in the last match. He said that Hooda is not a finisher but is forced to bat down the order against his natural position.
“Deepak Hooda is not a finisher. He has not finished for Lucknow Supergiants. He has not finished for India in the past. You throw him in at the business end of a tournament like the Asia Cup at No.6 or No.7, you’re putting pressure on a player like that. He is a high-quality player, who thrives at a certain position. Make him play in a position he thrives in.”
Robin also shared that India is failing to execute their new aggressive approach. He said that India is overburdening itself just to play a certain brand of cricket and are losing wickets in the process.
“I think just to kind of have these matchups and have a left-hander in, we’re trying to fix something that isn’t broken. I think we have overthought ourselves out of this. And I think, as much as you say you want to play a certain brand of cricket, there’s a secret to this sauce, right? So, be as aggressive as you want. But if you don’t have wickets at the back end of the innings, in the last five or six overs, you’re always going to be under the pump and that’s exactly where India was.”
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
