Asia Cup 2022: Team India Strongest Predicted Playing 11

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul set to open as we look at the strongest predicted Asia Cup 2022 playing 11 for Team India that will defeat Pakistan. 

After a dominating tour of the West Indies where India won the ODI series 3-0 and T20 series 4-1, Team India’s next big campaign is Asia Cup 2022. The tournament shall be played between August 27 and September 11 in the UAE with Dubai and Sharjah being the venues, 

The first blockbuster India vs Pakistan match shall be played on August 28 in Dubai. However, the tournament schedule is designed in such a way that India will play Pakistan at least twice in the tournament. One in the Group stage and another in the Super 4. After that, if both teams do well, they shall also meet in the finals. 

BCCI on Monday announced the official Asia Cup 2022 squad for Team India. While the overall squad seems to be on the expected line, Team India shall be without their two key pacers. The loss of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel will be a big blow to the Indian team. Both will miss the tournament on account of Injuries. 

The absence of Bumrah and Harshal from the squad changes the best playing 11 to a good extent. So, what could be the strongest predicted playing 11 for Team India for Asia Cup 2022 that can defeat Pakistan? Let’s find out in this article. Before that, let’s look at the official squad for Team India for Asia Cup 2022. 

Asia Cup 2022: Official 15-member Squad for Team India: 

Batters: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli

Wks: Dinesh Karthik & Rishabh Pant

All-rounders: Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin & Ravindra Jadeja 

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi & Yuzvendra Chahal

Coach: Rahul Dravid // Captain: Rohit Sharma 

Batters

After trying innumerable opening combinations in the recent past, India will be back to seeing their strongest opening duo, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. The Captain and Vice Captain of the team shall open in all the matches for Team India in Asia Cup 2022; unless of course of any unfortunate injury. Meanwhile, Kl Rahul will also play the Zimbabwe ODI series, thus getting valuable match practice. 

At number 3, we should have Virat Kohli. He may be out of form currently, but he is a different beast when it comes to ICC tournaments. Whereas at number 4, Suryakumar Yadav should play. Just like KL Rahul, SKY is one of the best batters for Team India in the T20s. He is also the best-ranked Indian batter in T20Is at the moment.

Finally, at number 5, wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant should play. I know Rishabh Pant hasn’t made a big impact in T20Is as yet, but we need a left-hander in the top 5, and no better than Rishabh Pant at the moment. However, If India decide to leave out Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik may get a go. 

All-rounders

Number 6 should see pace All-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is Team India’s best all-rounder at the moment in the T20s. Not only has his finishing capabilities improved, but his bowling has also improved considerably. We should see him play the role of the third pacer, so expect him to bowl 3-4 overs every match. 

Supporting him, we should have all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Apart from being a good finisher, Jadeja shall be needed as a sixth bowler. This also means that Dinesh Karthik will, unfortunately, be left out of the playing 11 even as he is the designated finisher of the team. 

With India including 3 front-line pacers in their overall squad, they would be prompted to play 3 spinners in their line-up including all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. In addition, Avesh Khan hasn’t been in great touch off-late. So, it makes sense for India to play one of Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravi Bishnoi in their 11. 

But who among Ashiwn or Bishnoi shall be preferred to support Yuzvendra Chahal? Well, Ashwin seems to be the best guy to play this role for two main reasons. One, Ashwin is the senior-most player in the squad, and his experience is invaluable. Second, Jadeja, Bishnoi, and Chahal turn the ball into lefties, so selecting Ashwin adds variety as he turns the ball away from lefties.  

Bowlers

In the absence of Team India’s number 1 T20 bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar shall lead the bowling attack for Team India. He is currently India’s best-ranked T20I bowler. Undoubtedly, Bhuvi is an asset in T20Is, and one of the best swing bowlers for Team India at the moment.

Supporting Bhuvi shall be young Arshdeep Singh, who was recently named the Player of the Series for the West Indies T20 series. It would be a big responsibility for young Arshdeep. He definitely has all the skills, but under the leadership of RO and RD, all he needs to do is control his nerves. 

Finally, at number 11, we will see India’s best spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal. As we know, Chahal has been in superb form in T20s off late. He was also the Purple cap winner in IPL 2022, and will play a crucial role for Team India as an attacking option in the middle overs. 

Asia Cup 2022 Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for Team India: 

Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh & Yuzvendra Chahal

So, that’s about the strongest predicted playing 11 for Team India that can defeat Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022. Overall, 10 players select for themselves. The only debate that India can think of is whether to play Ashwin, Avesh, or Bishnoi. It would depend on the conditions, but Ashwin seems to be having an upper hand in this.   

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Team India for Asia Cup 2022? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.