Asia Cup 2022: Scott Styris on IND vs PAK clash

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes Team India’s inability to play the style of cricket that is most appropriate for their players was responsible for their exit from last year’s T20 World Cup.

Virat Kohli and Co. lost their first two games against Pakistan and New Zealand in the international event, which was played in the UAE, and failed to reach the semi-finals. The Men in Blue will clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai in their Asia Cup 2022 opener on Sunday, August 28.

During an interaction on the Sports 18 show ‘Sports Over the Top’, Styris was asked about Pakistan’s cause being helped by a very impressive domestic T20 league. 

“As we know, India has a very strong T20 league as well. I don’t think that’s going to be a defining moment or a factor in this match. I think it’s the ability to come together and play the style and brand of cricket that best suits your players. I thought that was the big trick that India missed at the last T20 World Cup.”

He responded

Styris feels India were marginally meek in their approach in their first two rounds of the T20 World Cup. 

“Talk about the two games, the two losses they had before they just started to go after the opposition, they didn’t impose themselves with the talent and skill that they have got. I want to see India do that in this Asia Cup.”

He observed

India lost to Pakistan and New Zealand by 10 and eight wickets, respectively, to begin their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign on a bleak note. They made a comeback to register persuading wins in their next three league phase fixtures, yet it wasn’t enough for making the knockout stages.

“They have the capacity to crush everyone including Pakistan” – Scott Styris on Team India

Styris feels the Men dressed in Blue could squash any remaining teams at the forthcoming Asia Cup, saying:

“I want them (India) to impose themselves on the other teams and they have got the ability to do that. I think they have got the ability to squash everybody including Pakistan in this Asia Cup.”

Styris, however, pointed out that India will be found wanting if they are unsure about their game plan. 

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“If they (India) are going to go in with this middling attitude of how they want to play the game, then I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think that’s where Pakistan have figured things out that little bit more.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator explained

Team India have guzzled a somewhat more attacking approach since the last T20 World Cup. It will, however, be noted whether they adhere to that approach if they lose two or three early wickets in a crunch game.