India will look to make amends for last Champions Trophy finals loss, says Venkatesh Prasad

According to Venkatesh Prasad, a battle between India and Pakistan has always been something to look forward to. The last time, India had faced Pakistan in the Champions Trophy finals of 2017, the latter had effectively subdued India in the face off. However, Prasad stated that with the World Cup being around the corner, the Indian players will endeavour to put up their best performance as the team management is yet to decide an appropriate middle order.

“An India-Pakistan clash in any sporting discipline is a marquee contest. Wednesday's face-off in the Asia Cup will be no different. The last time the traditional rivals squared-off was in the Champions Trophy final in England last year, which Pakistan won convincingly. On that count, the Rohit Sharma-led squad will look to make amends,” Prasad wrote in his column for TOI.

“That said, with the World Cup in England less than a year away, a lot is at stake for Indian players. With many chinks, especially in the middle-order, the batsmen will be eager to showcase form and establish their place in the squad. Manish Pandey, coming off a good outing with the India 'A' team, should make the best of this opportunity and will be one of the players to watch,” he added.

Pakistan has been well acquainted with the conditions of UAE, as they have been using it as their host venue since the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009. As per Prasad, this would give Pakistan an upper hand in the match. However, the Indian team will enter the field with a view of recovering their last time loss against Pakistan.

“I would hand Pakistan an edge over the Indian side. I say this because over the past few years, Pakistan have played most of their 'home' cricket in the UAE. In contrast, India haven't been seen in action in the region for a while. Also, the back-to-back matches, after the game against Hong Kong on Tuesday, will do India no favours, given the searing conditions. It is important for them to conserve their energy," Prasad wrote.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli will be missing the Asia Cup to take rest after the England series. Rohit Sharma will act as the stand-in skipper for the tournament. Prasad feels that Rohit Sharma will benefit with the presence of MS Dhoni in the Indian squad. 

“While the services of skipper Virat Kohli will be missed, Rohit will benefit greatly by the presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the squad. While the Indian batsmen will be in focus, it is hard not to shift our attention towards the wrist spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. They will have a lot to offer in conditions which are conducive for them,” he mentioned.