There isn't any shortage of options for India to work on: Mahela Jayawardena

India recently won the Asia Cup for the seventh time, beating Bangladesh by three wickets in a nail-biting final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The encounter went right down to the wire as Kuldeep Yadav and Kedar Jadhav held their nerves. In the meantime, Mahela Jayawardena, the former Sri Lankan cricketer, reckons India didn’t do their reputation of favourites any harm.

However, he also believes that Bangladesh, despite missing two of their key players- Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan- put up a resolute performance in the all-important encounter. However, he remarked that Mashrafe Mortaza and Co would be a tad disappointed after they let opportunities go following the 120-run stand between the opening pair of Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

India will return home very pleased

“India were the favourites, and they emerged as deserving Asia Cup victors, but it came closer than many had expected. Bangladesh, missing their two premier players, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, battled right to the end and can return to Dhaka with their heads held high.

However, they will surely feel a sense of deep disappointment that such a rollicking start went in vain,” Jayawardena wrote in his column for The Times of India (TOI).

Jayawardena also threw light on India’s bench strength ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. During the event, the Men in Blue gave opportunities to a number of youngsters out of which Deepak Chahar and left-arm speedster Khaleel Ahmed made their ODI debuts. Jayawardena mentioned that India have a wide range of players to choose from going into next year’s mega event.

“India will return home very pleased with how things turned out. They tried new players and new combinations in this tournament and showed they have lots of options right now to build on ahead of the World Cup next year,” he added.

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