Asia Cup: Not just big clash, it’s time to rebuild

Skipper Rohit Sharma prior to India’s practice session at Pallekele yesterday. Pic/AP; PTI

In an ideal world, India and Pakistan will fight it out on the cricket field as just two regular opponents, with only the trappings that accompany a high-voltage sporting contest to contend with. This is far from an ideal world, of course, so subtexts are an inevitable fallout when these two proud sides run into each other, which is only increasingly sporadically these days.

Long-awaited clash

On Saturday, when they line up at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium at the Asia Cup, it will be the first time since June 2019 that they will face off in a 50-over international. They have had skirmishes in the T20 game, both in the Asia Cup and the World Cup last year, but the freezing of bilateral action has contributed to this massive 50-month gap between ODIs.

Pakistan have lost the last three ODIs to India, including twice in the 2018 Asia Cup; there is, though, a different look and steel to them under Babar Azam, not necessarily an outstanding leader but easily one of the world's top batsmen and coming off a century on Wednesday against Nepal. They are the recently crowned No. 1 side in ODIs and, armed with a stunning pace attack, will fancy themselves against India, well rested for once but therefore without too much immediate game-time under their belts.

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Pakistan's are a mission of validation and consolidation of gradual gains, whereas India's focus revolves around ironing out areas that had gathered wrinkles over the last year due to the unavailability of several crucial resources. With KL Rahul scheduled to join the team next week in Colombo for the Super 4s, Rohit Sharma will finally be able to call on all his top draws barring the recuperating Rishabh Pant, a luxury he hasn't enjoyed since last August.

The return to 50-over cricket of Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and Prasidh Krishna will be watched with utmost interest, and perhaps a little apprehension, by the think-tank. Bumrah and Prasidh played in Ireland in the T20I series last month and looked none the worse for wear, but Iyer, who also underwent back surgery like the pace duo, hasn't played a competitive game since early March. It's imperative as they stake their World Cup claims that they showcase rhythm and ease of play rather than runs or wickets alone, though if they can tick those boxes too, no one will be complaining.

Selection headache

The selectors will have tricky calls to make when they sit down to pick the preliminary 15 for the World Cup soon. Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma offer middle-order options, and they probably will have to pick between Prasidh and Shardul Thakur, whose batting is valued by head coach Rahul Dravid. The next few days might make their task a little easier. Or not.