NEW DELHI: Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes India have better depth than other teams and are favorites to win Asian Cup 2022, adding Rohit Sharma-led team will beat their Pakistani rival in their opening game of the tournament.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most important in cricket and all eyes will be on Dubai on August 28 when the two opponents face off. While Pakistan hold the lead in head-to-head encounters, it’s a different story at the Asian Cup with India currently clinging to a slim 7-5 advantage (one without result) in 13 matches.
While Ponting expects a close contest between the rivals, he believes India have the depth to prevail.
“I will stick with India to win this clash (August 28 match) against Pakistan. It doesn’t take anything away from Pakistan as they are an amazing cricketing nation that continues to showcase superstars,” Ponting said in the latest episode of The ICC Review.
The Australian legend also mentioned that India are a tough opponent to beat in any tournament, not just an Asian Cup.
“It’s always difficult to overtake India in any tournament, not just an Asian Cup, but I think whenever we talk about the T20 World Cup coming up, I think the India will be right in the heart of the matter.” said Ponting.
“Their depth is definitely better than other teams and I think India will win the Asian Cup,” he added.
The 47-year-old has seen many Indian T20I stars during his time as a coach in the IPL and has been keeping tabs on how they prepare ahead of the T20 World Cup.
India have won 17 of their 21 T20I games this calendar year despite heavy player turnover by Rahul Dravid and the selection panel. An absentee despite the changes is a fast bowler Mohammad Chamiwho has not played for India in T20I cricket since the last T20 World Cup.
Time seems to be running out for the veteran pacer to make an impact in Australia, having also been left out of the Asian Cup squad. While acknowledging that the shorter format is Shami’s weakest, Ponting points out that the 31-year-old could definitely do some work if he made the squad.
“He’s been a very, very good bowler for India for a long time now. If you look at his strengths, his test cricket is probably where he thrives the most. I think there are better fast bowlers in Indian T20 cricket than Shami and they “I have only named three (for the Asian Cup). So if there are potentially four named in the squad, he could be the fourth,” he said.
“I think they’ll probably only have the fast four coming to Australia. They’ll still want to bring a lot of spin here even though the wickets are probably not that good,” he added.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most important in cricket and all eyes will be on Dubai on August 28 when the two opponents face off. While Pakistan hold the lead in head-to-head encounters, it’s a different story at the Asian Cup with India currently clinging to a slim 7-5 advantage (one without result) in 13 matches.
While Ponting expects a close contest between the rivals, he believes India have the depth to prevail.
“I will stick with India to win this clash (August 28 match) against Pakistan. It doesn’t take anything away from Pakistan as they are an amazing cricketing nation that continues to showcase superstars,” Ponting said in the latest episode of The ICC Review.
The Australian legend also mentioned that India are a tough opponent to beat in any tournament, not just an Asian Cup.
“It’s always difficult to overtake India in any tournament, not just an Asian Cup, but I think whenever we talk about the T20 World Cup coming up, I think the India will be right in the heart of the matter.” said Ponting.
“Their depth is definitely better than other teams and I think India will win the Asian Cup,” he added.
The 47-year-old has seen many Indian T20I stars during his time as a coach in the IPL and has been keeping tabs on how they prepare ahead of the T20 World Cup.
India have won 17 of their 21 T20I games this calendar year despite heavy player turnover by Rahul Dravid and the selection panel. An absentee despite the changes is a fast bowler Mohammad Chamiwho has not played for India in T20I cricket since the last T20 World Cup.
Time seems to be running out for the veteran pacer to make an impact in Australia, having also been left out of the Asian Cup squad. While acknowledging that the shorter format is Shami’s weakest, Ponting points out that the 31-year-old could definitely do some work if he made the squad.
“He’s been a very, very good bowler for India for a long time now. If you look at his strengths, his test cricket is probably where he thrives the most. I think there are better fast bowlers in Indian T20 cricket than Shami and they “I have only named three (for the Asian Cup). So if there are potentially four named in the squad, he could be the fourth,” he said.
“I think they’ll probably only have the fast four coming to Australia. They’ll still want to bring a lot of spin here even though the wickets are probably not that good,” he added.
