Rohit Sharma must get past the pretty 20s and 30:
Rohit Sharma needs to bat long. The pretty 20s and 30s are pleasing for eyes, but they are not helping India much. Additionally, he is not keen on singles and doubles and rotating the strike. This not only bogs him down but also puts extra pressure on the other batsmen and lowers the run rate.
While his talent is unquestionable, Rohit Sharma is not contributing consistently post his double hundred against Australia. He struggled in ODIs in South Africa and New Zealand. And he has not done much in the ongoing Asia Cup.
Kohli should maintain his good form:
The last time India faced Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Kohli bludgeoned 183 runs chasing 330. While Saeed Ajmal continues to be a mystery for many International batsmen, Kohli has had no problems batting against him. These days, Kohli appears set for a big knock the moment he walks down to the middle. So far, he has scored 184 runs in this Asia Cup.
India ought to field well:
In the last game against Sri Lanka, Indian fielding let them down. They dropped 4 catches and missed a stumping while defending 264 runs. Considering, the game against Pakistan is a ‘make or break’ game, India will ill-afford to be lackluster in the field.
The middle order has to make itself count:
As Kohli mentioned in his press conference following the India-Sri Lanka game, in the absence of Dhoni, Indian middle order lacks experience. But that aspect won’t be taken too lightly by most of the Indian fans if the middle order fails to deliver against Pakistan. India can field in Chetesgwar Pujara to add more solidity to their batting. But even if they don’t, Rahane, Rayudu and Karthik must make their presence felt by scoring runs
The bowlers should not leak runs:
Indian spinners bowled well in the previous game against Sri Lanka. And hence, Kohli will want them to do the same versus Pakistan as well. Among Indian seamers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not giving away too many runs. But he has taken only a wicket from his last two games. Shami, however, has seven wickets in the last two games. But his economy rate was 8 runs per over in the game against Sri Lanka.
Varun Aaron, who missed the last game due to injury, bowled poorly against Bangladesh. If he gets a game, he will need to get his line, length and mind in the right place. Although too ideal, Kohli will want his bowlers to be among wickets without leaking runs in this game against arch rival Pakistan.
