'Don't think Indian cricket will think differently': Vaas on Asia Cup & India's chances

Indian cricket team has been struggling to put in consistent performances in multi-team tournaments for the past few years. Despite being one of the most dominant teams in bilateral series, Team India have not managed to win major tournaments, whether in ICC events or even in Asia Cup. In the last three major events, Team India have failed to impress in spite of being heavy favourites. India were eliminated in the group stages of the T20 World Cup 2021, failed to reach the final of the Asia Cup 2022, and got drubbed by England in the last four stages of the T20 WC 2022. 

India is again heading into a crucial phase as they gear up to host the ODI World Cup. In preparation for the tournament, Rohit Sharma and Co. will play in the Asia Cup where they take on arch-rivals Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But will they manage to eliminate the ghosts of 2022 with a turnaround in performances? Will Team India win their first ICC title since the 2013 Champions Trophy? It is a question even the most renowned experts are skeptical of answering.

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Sri Lankan cricket legend Chaminda Vaas, who is the coach of Colombo Strikers in LPL, recently talked to Republic World's Yash Bhati on Indian cricket and his view on what might be hampering India's chances in multi-team events. The legendary seamer also revealed who should be named India's next Test skipper among other things. Here are the excerpts:-

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Q: How happy are you with the combination Colombo Strikers have put in for Lanka Premier League this year?

Vaas: To be honest, It's a good combination and I am really happy with the players we have at Colombo Strikers. We have match-winners like Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana and Niroshan Dickwella. I am looking forward to the tournament

Q: What does Lanka Premier League needs to do to be recognised in the top franchise leagues in the world?

Vaas: We have to pick the right international players. We have to be competitive with franchise cricket. We have seen how IPL has done it, it is the best franchise cricket league. We have to emulate what they have done.

Q: How happy are you with Matheesha Pathirana's progression and how big a role Dhoni and CSK played in his career?

Vaas: I have been working with him since U-19. He has developed so much, He has played in the U-19 World Cup. He has come a long way, the way he bowled in IPL has been excellent. He has a long way to go and he has a few things to work on. I am sure he will do well for Colombo Strikers and Sri Lanka cricket. I didn't have time to ask about his time in IPL but it seems to me that he has gelled well with the CSK team and I am happy with the way Dhoni has treated him in IPL. 

Q: What do you think of the move to partially shift Asia Cup matches from Pakistan to Sri Lanka in 2023?

Vaas: It's a good move. Good to see cricket being played in Sri Lanka. I hope that many nations will watch the game and support Sri Lankan cricket.

Q: Who do you think will win the title this year?

Vaas: We know India and Pakistan are strong sides. To defend the title we have to play well and play the right cricket. It's very difficult to predict who will win but everyone has a good chance.

Q: What has hampered India in multi-nation tournaments in recent times? What have you noticed that India need to get right in order to win a big event?

Vaas: It's very difficult to say. They want to win all the tournaments that's why they are playing. They have to pick the right combination for the Cups. They have to pick the right team. I am sure India will come in with a strong side and prove that they are the best in the world. 

As far as I see there is nothing lacking in the Indian team. They have to be very consistent. They are the best batting unit in the world. When it comes to bowling, they need bowlers who can take wickets with the new ball and middle overs. These are the things they have to work on and I am sure they will. India will come in with a different strategy and try to do well in Asia Cup.

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Q: Rohit Sharma is in the last leg of his storied career, who do you think could turn out to be a good captain for India in Test cricket?

Vaas: Shreyas Iyer will be the best captain. In his first Test, he scored a hundred and he has good leadership skills. The way I see it, he can handle the team. He will be the best option going forward. 

Q: What do you think of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future in T20 internationals for India. Will they play in the shortest format of international cricket for India?

Vaas: They have still cricket in their body. They are still young. Virat Kohli is a different character. The way he bats and the way he scores runs. I am very impressed. I am sure, still he has time for T20Is. The way Kohli has been performing in IPL and Test matches, he will turn things around. He will prove one more time and will do everything for the Indian team in T20s

Q: What will be your take on Rohit Sharma's captaincy for Team India so far?

Vaas: Rohit Sharma has been handling really well. He has experience, he has leadership qualities. As a leader, he has been performing. I don't think the Indian cricket management will think differently. He has a few more years to play for India and he will give everything to Indian cricket.