Misbah ul Haq, a former Pakistani cricket captain, offers a unique perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian cricket team. Despite boasting a strong lineup of players, even the best teams have their issues. Here, we delve into two key problems that Misbah ul Haq has identified.

Strength in Numbers

One of India’s greatest strengths lies in its depth of talent. The team has a robust backup plan, with players like Shammi, who wasn’t in the 11th position initially but has since proven his worth in previous series. Similarly, Surya Kumar Yadav, an international level performer and impact player, was initially benched during batting.

The team’s strength extends beyond the top 11, with a pool of 15 players ready to step in at any time. This includes experienced players like Ashwin, who can replace any spinner, demonstrating the team’s versatility.

The Hardik Pandya Dilemma

Despite these strengths, the team’s balance has been disrupted due to Hardik Pandya. His absence was felt in the last match, leading to a change in the game’s dynamics due to a long tail.

In a knockout situation with four bowlers, it’s challenging to recover. This was evident when Pandya was at the top, confident, and not under pressure. However, he had to deal with a very important number, which the team can’t depend on like they do with their other top six players.

Performance in Recent Matches

Despite these issues, India has performed well in recent matches. They won the last two matches that Ashok played in the finals, where he outperformed by 50. Additionally, they won the match in Kerala, ODI last year, and at the start of this year, they won by 317 runs.