Former leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has expressed his belief that Pakistan’s cricket team holds the upper hand over India in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 due to what he perceives as India’s unsettled state. As the highly anticipated tournament approaches, Kaneria’s observations suggest that Pakistan could potentially outperform their Indian counterparts in the ODI continental championship.
Kaneria’s prediction is grounded in his assessment of India’s present condition, particularly in terms of team cohesion and strategy. With the prospect of facing each other up to three times at the Asia Cup, the fierce rivalry between India and Pakistan adds another layer of excitement to the tournament. Their first encounter is scheduled as a Group A match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on September 2.
One of the key areas Kaneria pinpointed is India’s bowling lineup, which he identified as lacking the strength and consistency required to challenge their opponents. He further emphasized the uncertainty surrounding India’s final choice of pace-bowling options. In the realm of spin bowling, Kaneria recommended that India explore alternatives beyond the inconsistent performance of Yuzvendra Chahal.
In a live session on his official YouTube channel, Kaneria stated, “Pakistan have the edge, as India don’t look settled at the moment. They don’t know which fast bowlers are going to play. In their spin department, Yuzvendra Chahal has been inconsistent. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja should be the three spinners, according to me. If they want a spinner on standby, Ravi Bishnoi should get the nod.”
As India continues to prepare for the tournament, Kaneria also highlighted the return of middle-order batsmen KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. Both players have resumed batting practice at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after recovering from injuries. However, Kaneria stressed that a few more matches are needed to gauge their readiness for international cricket.
“KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been practicing at the NCA and are most likely going to be included in India’s squad for the upcoming major tournaments. However, you cannot bring someone into the team just on the basis of practice. They will have to play matches and should be added to the team only if they show good form there,” Kaneria explained.
The anticipation continues to build as cricket fans eagerly await the Asia Cup 2023, where both India and Pakistan will strive to claim supremacy on the cricket field.