India will take on the United Arab Emirates in their final group league game of the Asia Cup 2016 tonight. India having already qualified for the final will try to test their bench strength keeping the upcoming T20 World Cup in mind.
Indian team substitutes may get the chance to express themselves
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni dropped a hint after the Sri Lanka game that some of the substitute players might get a chance to express themselves. Though he has made it clear that he will try to maintain the strength of the squad.
India by far the best team of the Asia Cup, unbeaten so far in the tournament, can afford to make some changes to measure their bench strength. The likes of Harbhajan Singh. Pawan Negi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar can come into the team and show their mettle.
Bhuvi, Negi, Bhajji or Parthiv in today's match?
It is well known that Dhoni doesn’t like to tinker with the winning combination. But keeping the upcoming ICC World T20 in mind, he might change his mind. Also, there is a chance to give rest to someone like Ashish Nehra who has been bowling relentlessly since the T20 series against Australia down under.
Someone like Pawan Negi can be a potent option on Indian tracks which assist the spinners. He is also renowned for his big hitting. So a competitive match will boost his confidence and make him ready for the world cup.
For a veteran like Harbhajan Singh, it will be better to be in the groove before the World Cup starts. On Indian pitches, if Dhoni decides to play with three spinners, then the role of Harbhajan becomes critical. It will be better for Bhajji to get some match practice as well.
Even the skipper Dhoni who has been nursing his back for a long time can be given the much-needed rest before the final. Parthiv Patel can replace him as the wicketkeeper.
UAE: Impressive Bowling Unit
On the other hand, UAE has been fairly impressive with their bowling, it is their batting that has let them down. Their captain Amjad Javed has been excellent with the ball. So it will be interesting to see how they fare against the strong Indian batting line-up. It will be a nice test for them.
Overall, the inconsequential game in the context of the tournament may become vital for many Indian players who are desperate to prove their worths in the side. And for UAE, a game against India provides them the opportunity to put up a competitive show against one of the best T20 sides of the world. So, the stakes are high.
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