Asia Cup: India have a middle order problem ahead of Pak clash

Updated on: 19 June,2010 08:00 AM IST |
Trevor Chesterfield |

With Yuvi missing in the middle-order, it's time for Sharma, Raina and Kohli to stand up and be counted as India play Pak in a high-voltage clash today

With Yuvi missing in the middle-order, it's time for Sharma, Rainau00a0and Kohli to stand up and be counted as India play Pak in a high-voltage clash today

It's a bit of a clich ufffd, but Team India are confident they will not blink first tonight playing old nemesis and rivals Pakistan in the key Asia Cup clash at Rangiri Stadium.

It is going to be a tough game as India need a victory to get a chance of qualifying for the final and Pakistan a victory to have an outside chance.

As he pointed out, this is because with Yuvraj Singh missing, India are hoping to find an established number four replacement. But this did not mean, should either Rohit Sharma or Suresh Raina make a success of the role that Yuvi will need to find a new place in the batting order when he returns.

"It depends largely on who is selected for the next series," he said during the team's extensive net session Friday. "It needs to be remembered that we are playing in this series without Sachin (Tendulkar) and he plays a big role in our side.

"Gautam Gambhir has filled the role well on occasions in his (Tendulkar's absence) when there is a need, but to be frank it is the middle-order area where we need to focus some attention," he commented. "It is why there is a need for the top three to do well and get some runs on the board to lessen the pressure on the middle order."

"There are any number of possibilities in our batting strategies," he added. "One is who will be batting in what position when there is a need to chase a total. Rohit (Sharma) and Suresh (Raina) will be tested.I can move up if needed," said Dhoni.

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