India’s Mixed Fortunes in the UAE

William Campbell

Published on 8 Days+ 93 0

📜 Past Performances in UAE

🏆 Asia Cup 2018: Champions
💔 T20 WC 2021: Eliminated in the group stage
💔 Asia Cup 2022: Didn't qualify for the final

India will play all their Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai, including the knockouts if they qualify 🤞

The last time India played an ODI tournament in UAE (Asia Cup 2018), they won the title – a positive sign!

🪙 Toss Troubles in UAE

👉 In T20 WC 2021 & Asia Cup 2022, the luck of the coin deserted India.
In UAE conditions, the toss is crucial, as dew gives an advantage to the chasing team.

T20 WC 2021: Lost 3 tosses out of 5, including big games vs Pakistan & New Zealand
Asia Cup 2022: In Super Fours, lost 3 tosses out of 3, including big games vs Pakistan & Sri Lanka

😔 Losing the toss in these key matches heavily impacted results, with teams chasing under dew having the upper hand.

😟 What Went Wrong?

❌ Approach & Execution Issues

In T20 WC 2021, India had a timid batting approach, struggling against Pak & NZ.
- Superstars failed under pressure.
- Bowlers were ineffective, especially the spinners.
In Asia Cup 2022, India struggled in the middle overs (7-15) in games vs Pak & SL.
- Only 5 bowlers were selected, with Hardik as the 3rd seamer – backfired badly.

🤯 Baffling Selection Calls

T20 WC 2021

🫵 Rahul Chahar over Yuzi Chahal? 🤯 Chahar played only one dead rubber game.
🫵 Chakravarthy's selection – Spinners overall lacked impact.

Asia Cup 2022

🫵 "We are 90% settled," said Rohit – but the selections told a different story.
🫵 Only 5 bowlers vs Pak & SL.
🫵 DK was the designated finisher but played only 1 game – Pant replaced him in Super Fours.
🫵 Deepak Hooda at No.7? Not used as a 6th bowler.
🫵 Ravi Bishnoi dropped after a great performance vs Pak.
🫵 Hardik as the 3rd seamer just a year after not being in contention for bowling.
🫵 R Ashwin, who played only 3 T20Is in 2022, suddenly drafted in.

😭 Too many questionable decisions!

🤔 Even This Time, Selection Looks Uncertain

🛑 Only 3 fast bowlers – No Siraj, despite Bumrah being ruled out ❌ Lack of experience in pace attack.
🛑 5 spinners? Jaiswal should've been picked instead of Sundar.

🔄 What Needs to Change?

✅ Win the toss 🎲
✅ Bat aggressively 💥
✅ Make the right team selections 🔍