With their exit from the Asia Cup 2022 already confirmed, India take on Afghanistan in the final match of the tournament on Thursday. Though the larger objective of the team management still remains to find the right team composition for the T20 World Cup 2022, Robin Uthappa feels Rishabh Pant might be dropped from the match.
Pant replaced Dinesh Karthik for the wicket-keeper’s role in the last two matches – against Pakistan and Sri Lanka – but failed to justify his selection. Against Afghanistan, the team management might look to bring Karthik back, according to Uthappa.
“I think Dinesh Karthik will be playing today’s game as a finisher. He and Hardik Pandya will be the finishers at No. 6 and 7. I feel Rishabh Pant might be dropped and Deepak Hooda will bat at No. 5.”
Uthappa also feels Deepak Chahar will break into the playing XI. He is eligible for selection having been named in the 15-man squad as a replacement of Avesh Khan who got injured midway through the tournament.
“In bowling, I think Deepak Chahar will play because India will try a few experiments because this is their only opportunity. He is coming from a break and had a good outing against Zimbabwe, so he deserves an opportunity.”
Ravindra Jadeja is another player who got injured in the middle of the tournament. The Indian team has tried Deepak Hooda as his replacement but hasn’t given him even a single over to bowl. Even with the bat, Deepak hasn’t managed to impress. Hence, Uthapp feels Axar Patel might be tried in place of Hooda against Afghanistan.
“In my opinion, Axar can fit into the playing XI but whether he plays or not, it’s on the team management. If Axar plays, then Hardik would bat at No. 5 followed by Karthik and Axar at six and seven.”
“In that case, Hooda and Pant will miss out. They can go with this strategy or play Deepak Chahar. They are likely to go with either of these two” the veteran cricketer said.