Rohit would ‘love’ to play Test series against Pakistan in neutral venue
Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been put on hold since Misbah-ul-Haq’s team last toured India to play a three-match ODI series way back in 2012-13.
Veteran Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes Pakistan are favourites to win the ongoing Asia Cup 2018.
Pakistan started their Asia Cup campaign against minnows Hong Kong with a thumping eight-wicket victory on Sunday. Sarfraz Ahmed’s side will also have the added advantage of playing in the UAE, their “home” ground.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India would start their campaign against Hong Kong on Tuesday, which is said to be a dress rehearsal before their marquee clash with arch-rivals Pakistan the next day.
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Speaking to PTI, Manjrekar said, “I think Pakistan start as favourites more than India, because they have been playing in those conditions (in the UAE) for a while now and it’s a team which is on the surge.”
“India, of course, are resting Virat (Kohli), which takes a lot of strength away from the team,” Manjrekar, added.
Manjrekar was also quizzed whether India is among favourites to win Asia Cup in the absence of regular skipper Virat. “India are obviously one of the contenders, but when you look at favouritism, (question arises) which team can be rated as the strongest.
“It’s Pakistan because of where it (the tournament) is being played,” explained Sanjay Manjrekar.
“India is a very good 50 overs outfit. India in the Test matches struggled a bit overseas, but if you look at their 50-over record, it’s very good in all conditions.
“Earlier, India had batting strength but the bowling did not quite measure up. Now they also have game changers in the middle, so the team wins more matches than it used to because of Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in the middle. It’s a more balanced 50 overs team in a long, long time,” said Manjrekar.
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