Asia Cup 2022 will start on 27th August in UAE. Being held after a gap of four overs, the upcoming event will be a T20I competition. A total of six teams will take part in the event. Since the T20 World Cup is scheduled for later this year, Asia Cup 2022 will hold a lot of relevance for the participants. On that note, here, we take a look at five bold predictions for Asia Cup 2022.
1) Asia Cup 2022 winner – India
India had a poor run in the 2021 T20 World Cup. In the recent ICC tournaments, as well, the squad has failed to do well under pressure. Hence, the doubt remains if the team could go all the way in a multi-nation tournament.
However, the brand of cricket being employed by the squad is yielding positive results off late. With this approach, India is yet to take part in a multi-nation competition. The approach coupled with the talent in the squad will help them do well. The upcoming Asia Cup is the first one and hence, we predict them to lift the trophy.
2) Asia Cup 2022 final Match – India vs Sri Lanka
India is one of the favorites to win the series. The most successful team in the history of the competition, India won the series in 2018, as well. While it is likely that they will reach the finals, it is hard to predict the team’s opponent in the final.
Although Pakistan is in top form at the moment, in the absence of Shaheen Afridi, the team could struggle a bit. Therefore, a team like Sri Lanka could do well in the event. With players such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka and Charith Asalanka in the squad, they are capable of doing the unexpected. Hence, this is also one of the bold predictions for Asia Cup 2022.
3) Highest run-getter – KL Rahul
One of the bold predictions for Asia Cup 2022 is that KL Rahul will end as the leading run-scorer of the tournament. The likes of Babar Azam and Suryakumar Yadav are seen as the probable contenders to finish as the highest run-getters.
On the flip side, there are doubts if KL Rahul could do well. He is coming off a long injury gap and does not have sufficient game time. That said, he is one of the best batters in T20I cricket right now and if he finds form, it might be hard to stop him.
4) Highest wicket-taker – Rashid Khan
Usually, it is the pacers, who have the opportunity to pick bulk wickets at the death, who finish as the leading wicket-takers. However, the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal have changed the perception now. Chahal won the Purple Cap in IPL 2022.
Meanwhile, there is a conversation that Rashid Khan is not picking a lot of wickets. He is a terrific bowler and the pitches in UAE will suit him. Hence, he could as well end up at the top of the wicket-takers chart.
5) Player of the Tournament – KL Rahul
KL Rahul has often failed to do well when he is put under pressure. He is also not coming with a lot of games in his back. Therefore, he is one of the least expected players to win the Man of the Tournament award.
That said, Rahul’s prowess as a T20 batter is well-known. If he can adapt himself to the new approach of Team India, he can easily score a lot of runs as an opener.
