Asia Cup 2022: 3 Tactical changes India need to make ahead of the next game against Sri Lanka

Team India suffered a defeat in their first Super Four game against arch-rivals Pakistan. In the last over-thriller, the Men in Blue lost the game by five wickets. Now, Rohit Sharma & Co. need to win the rest of their games to stand a chance to qualify for the finals. 

India’s next match will be against Sri Lanka on Tuesday (September 6). Dasun Shanka & Co. are coming into the game having defeated Afghanistan. Ahead of the do-or-die clash, the Men in Blue will need to do some tactical changes to grab an edge over a high-flying Sri Lankan side.

3 Tactical changes India need to make ahead of the next game against Sri Lanka

1. Axar Patel in for Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda was drafted into the side in place of Ravindra Jadeja who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Hooda is a batting all-rounder and has scored bulk of the runs at the top-order.

However, he was asked to bat out of place at No.7 where the 27-year-old did not have a great outing with the bat against the Men in Green. Hooda could only manage 16 runs off 14 deliveries. Also, skipper Rohit decided against giving the all-rounder an over during Pakistan’s chase.

If the Men in Blue are looking to slot in an all-rounder at No.7, then Axar Patel would be a better fit. He is a proven performer in the lower-middle order and gives a better option with the ball. This would improve the balance of the side. Moreover, Axar being a left-hander adds to the flexibility of the batting lineup.