Sports News
UAE’s history says, this Asia Cup is ours; India aiming for second hat-trick
There is only a few days and nights to wait for Asian cricket’s majesty to rise. There are not few fans who look at the Asia Cup as a curtain raiser for the T20 World Cup.
As the T20 World Cup is coming, it is also special that the tournament is being held in the T20 format. In 2016, the competition was previously held in the T20 format.
The fact that India and Pakistan are coming head-to-head after a long wait and their history as champions when they played in the T20 format earlier makes the fans look forward to the Asia Cup.
Virat Kohli and K.L. Rahul and his return to the team are eagerly watched by the fans. Fans strongly believe that India have won seven of the 14 seasons so far and that they can maintain their lethal form at present.
But the main thing that excites cricket fans more than anything is that the match is being held in the UAE.
In the history of the Asia Cup, India has lifted the trophy every time the tournament has been held in the UAE. India have been the champions three times before when they hosted the UAE.
The first edition of the tournament was hosted by the UAE. In the first season held in 1984, India became champions by defeating Sri Lanka.
After this, the Asia Cup returned to the UAE in 1995. India won the match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium by eight wickets and once again became the kings of Asian cricket. Even then, it was Sri Lanka that fell to the ground in India’s chariot race.
That victory had another peculiarity. In 1995, UAE witnessed India’s hat-trick of titles. Before this, India had the last laugh in the 1988 season in Bangladesh and in 1990/91 when they hosted India.
In 2018, the Asia Cup returned to the UAE after a long gap of 23 years. India won their seventh title by defeating Bangladesh by one run in a thrilling match till the last ball.
Before this, after a 15-year wait, India won their fifth title in 2010 by defeating Sri Lanka and their sixth title in 2016 by defeating Bangladesh.
Due to internal strife, the tournament was moved from Sri Lanka to the UAE. The Indian team will be aiming for their second hat-trick by winning this edition, which will replace six teams.
Things won’t get tougher for India on current form. India is going to conquer Asia with a bunch of young Turks along with veteran players who have experience in all departments including batting and bowling.
Indian Squad for Asia Cup:
Rohit Sharma (captain), K.L. Rahul (Vice Captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Dinesh Karthik (Wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Arush Khan.
Content Highlight: India have become champions in every edition of the Asia Cup held in the UAE
Adarsh M.K.
Doolnews Multimedia Journalist, Post Graduation in Mass Communication from University of Calicut.