New Delhi, Aug 12 : Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that India have more depth than other teams, and they are the favorites to take home the 2022 Asia Cup, adding that the Rohit Sharma-led team will take on the arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game of the tournament.The rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of cricket’s most intense and all attention will be focused on Dubai on the 28th of August when the two sides go head-tohead.
While Pakistan have the advantage overall in head-to-head matches however, the story is different during the Asia Cup with India currently struggling to hold a slight 7-5 lead (one with no outcome) in 13 games.
While Ponting anticipates a tense battle between the two sides, he believes India have the strength to prevail.
“I’ll stay with India to win this match (August 28 game) against Pakistan.That’s not taking anything away from Pakistan because they’re an incredible nation of cricket that continues to produce outstanding players,” Ponting said in the latest episode of The ICC Review.
The Australian legend also stated that India are difficult opponents to defeat in any competition not just the Asia Cup.
“It’s always difficult to get beyond India in any competition and not just the Asia Cup, but I believe that every when we discuss the T20 World Cup which is approaching, I am convinced that India will be right in the middle of it,” Ponting said.
“Their depth is definitely higher than other teams and I believe India will be the winner of the Asia Cup,” he added.
The 47-year-old has watched many of India’s T20I stars when he was coaching in the IPL and has been watching the way they prepare in advance of the T20 World Cup.
India have won 17 of their 21 T20I matches in the calendar year despite the heavy change of players under Rahul Dravid as well as the panel of selection.One player who has not been replaced is fast-bowler Mohammed Shami, who has not played in India in T20I cricket since the previous T20 World Cup.
The clock is now getting shorter for the experienced pacer to have an impact in Australia as he has been excluded of the Asia Cup squad.While acknowledging that the format with the most shortest duration is the weakest for Shami, Ponting insists that the 31-year-old can certainly be a good choice should he be included in the team.
“He’s been a excellent bowler for India for quite some time and is still a great bowler.If you take a look at his strengths, the Test cricket is the area where he excels the most.
I believe there are more fast bowlers in Indian T20 cricket than Shami and they’ve only named three (for the Asia Cup).Therefore, if there’s a possibility of four players in the team, he could be the fourth one in,” he said.
“I believe they’ll only have four quicks that are coming to Australia.They’ll still be keen to bring lots of spin, even when the wickets are not ideal,” he added.
.
