Shreyas Iyer Due to India’s automatic qualification for the finals in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, things have now reached their crunch point. The victor of Sunday, September 17’s Super 4 match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will take on the Men in Blue, with Bangladesh already eliminated from contention for a finals spot. Thus, on September 15, the final Super 4 match between India and Bangladesh will end in a tie.
There have recently been rumours that India may alter their starting lineup for the match on Friday. According to reports, the team is open to adjustments, especially in the bowling area, according to Indian bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. According to Mhambrey, the squad has the luxury of using rested players against Shakib Al Hasan & Co. because they have already qualified for the summit match.
“We’ve got a chance to give the other players a chance to play. So it is unquestionably open. The skipper will probably make the announcement tomorrow (Friday). We’ve already qualified (for the final), so it is a possibility, but we’ll see tomorrow,” the bowling coach reportedly stated, according to Cricbuzz.
Notably, given adjustments to the bowling lineup are anticipated, it’s possible that the pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will have a break. Of course, Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna will presumably take their places as the department’s managers of pace. All-rounder Shardul Thakur may replace Indian vice captain Hardik Pandya.
The position in issue that has received the most attention is that of Shreyas Iyer, who has missed the last several games owing to a back spasm.
Due to his alleged incomplete recovery, the middle-order batter will regrettably have to warm the bench once more. Players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, who haven’t participated in a single game of the tournament thus far, may view this as a blessing in disguise.
Up to four or five changes could be made in the match against Bangla Tigers on Friday since the squad would want to offer game time to all the players who have been selected for the biggest event, the 2023 ODI World Cup, which is less than a month away.