Reigning World Cup champions India will play for pride when they take on minnows Afghanistan in their last Asia Cup fixture at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.
India’s hopes of progressing further in the tournament were dashed by Pakistan’s victory over Bangladesh last night, and they have managed to earn just one win in three matches in the tournament so far.
India were defeated by Sri Lanka and Pakistan, picking up their only win against Bangladesh; a run that has seriously hampered their claim to being the dominant cricket force in the subcontinent.
Their damage to their egos was evident in the number of participants in the optional practice session on Tuesday, which was missing none of the core group of players.
In contrast, very few attended the optional practice session before the match against arch-rivals Pakistan.
‘We would like to go for a win in tomorrow’s game with a bonus point and see what happens,’ batsman Ambati Rayudu said on Tuesday.
‘I think it is unfortunate we are ending up on the losing side, but we are happy that we are giving the best,’ said Rayudu, who scored a half-century against Pakistan in their last match on Sunday.
Rayudu also defended management, who were criticized by former India great Sunil Gavaskar as he questioned the work ethic of the team.
Gavaskar severely criticised their approach after some senior players
skipped the training session ahead of the match against Pakistan.
‘We have been working very hard as any other teams, if not more. Moreover, we have played back-to-back games,’ said Rayudu.
‘We played three games in five days. It is not only us, no team has practised after back-to-back games,’ he said.
‘We have been travelling from South Africa to New Zealand and then here. We landed and played a game just two days after travelling from New Zealand,’ he added. ‘The players go through mental fatigue as well.’
‘I’m sure the team management is capable of handling the team and they are doing a fantastic job.’
While India are looking for a win, their opponents Afghanistan believe that that the match will give the minnows another opportunity to pull an upset.
‘I know they will be coming hard against us. They are the world champion and would not like to lose against us,’ said Afghanistan coach Kabir Khan.
‘But we have got some talented players and can give them a hard time,’ he added.
-With New Age input
