India set to test bench strength

On a roll with three back-to-back victories, India have finally decided to test their reserve bench against minnows United Arab Emirates in the final league encounter of the Asia Cup cricket tournament here on Thursday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not someone who believes in chopping and changing the side too often but after making it to the final with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka, the India skipper said that the UAE match will be a platform to give opportunity to all those who have till now warmed the benches. It means that atleast two or three amongst the quartet of Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, Pawan Negi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are likely to get a game on Thursday.

“We’ll definitely make a few changes in the coming games. How many we can you know, that’s something we will have to see. Because we still want the strength and the composition of the side to be very good,” Dhoni said.

“I think most of the players will definitely get a chance in the next game. Whether all the people who are sitting outside will get a chance, we’re not sure. But we will try to make as many changes as possible,” he added.

It is expected that Rahane will get another game in the tournament. It can be in place of Shikhar Dhawan, who has looked uncomfortable on wickets that has a bit more swing and carry. Rahane did play against Pakistan but got out to a delivery from Mohammed Amir, which would have got any big batsman dismissed.

Ashish Nehra, who is months short of his 37th birthday, will not mind being rested after playing nine T20 games in a month.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has slipped off the radar a bit, may get a game in that case.