Asia Cup 2018: Why resting Virat Kohli for Asia Cup is not right

Virat Kohli was rested for the Asia Cup and was not included in the squad. In his absence, the captaincy is handed over to Rohit Sharma. Now, Rohit Sharma will have to lead the side to defend their Asia Cup title.

Some might argue that it was best to rest Virat for the Asia Cup as youngsters like KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, will get a chance to perform and showcase their talent. Players like Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Raydu and Kedar Jadhav will get more overs to bat and confirm their middle order position in the side before the world cup next year.

Virat and company had a long tour of England which started in late June and will get over on 11th September. India plays their first match in the Asia cup on 18th September so there will be a gap of just seven days for the players to rest and recharge their batteries. But in my personal opinion, there are some reasons which suggest that it was not the right time to rest Virat Kohli. Let us look at them.

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1) India are heavily dependent on Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is currently the best player in ODIs and India are heavily dependent on him. Of late, India's top order has done the bulk of the scoring and with Virat rested there will be more pressure now on the openers to provide stable starts. Rohit and Shikhar will not only have to provide an anchoring start but one of them will be needed to play long innings with the middle order.

India's middle order has not been very consistent and has fallen apart on many occasions. India's batting will be tested against Pakistan's quality bowling attack as they'll be missing their biggest batting stalwart.

It will be a challenge for team India to show that they are not dependent on Virat and can win big tournaments without him. If they manage to win the tournament, it will be a big confidence booster for the side before the Australian tour and the World Cup next year.

2) Tough Competitors

Defending the Asia cup won't be easy for India, especially in absence of their best batsman. Bangladesh are no more the side they used to be as they have become more consistent and have the ability to defeat India.

But, the biggest competitor for India will be their arch-rivals Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan are entering the tournament as favourites. Pakistan's batting which has been their weakness for quite some time is looking good now. They have a formidable batting line up in Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, and others. As always they have a bowling attack that can rip apart any classy batting order.

India will be looking to take revenge for the Champions Trophy final defeat that they suffered at the hands of Pakistan. But, it won't be easy for them with their original captain rested.

3) He could have been rested during the West Indies tour

With West Indies touring India just after the Asia cup in October for two Tests, five ODIs and three T20Is, Virat could have been rested then for the much-needed break before the Australian tour.

West Indies no longer being a very threatening side and India playing on home soil wouldn't have been a great challenge for the team. India would be easy favourites to win the series in Tests and ODIs. Rohit Sharma could have led in ODIs and T20Is and Rahane in Tests.

New players could also be tried then before the important Australian tour and the World Cup next year.