Jadeja's absence might cause concern for India, will reduce the strength of team in match against Pakistan, says former Indian cricketer

DUBAI: The Super Four battles have started in the Asia Cup. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's injury is a heavy blow to India. Akash Chopra, the cricketer-turned-commentator, has now come out saying that Jadeja's injury might be a major concern for India in the T20 World Cup.

He says that Jadeja's absence will create a huge gap and it will affect India in the match against Pakistan in the Super Four. Akash Chopra opined that the team strength will be reduced without Jadeja and pointed out that India will not be able to overcome Jadeja's absence for a long time.

India, who defeated Pakistan in the first match of the Asia Cup group round last Sunday, will again face Pakistan today. Regardless of the outcome of the match, chances are likely that the same rivals might clash again in next Sunday's final.

India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the first match. Then India beat Hong Kong by 40 runs and reached the Super Four by ranking first in the group. After losing the first game, Pakistan defeated Hong Kong in the second match with a huge 155-run victory to finish second in the group and entered the Super Four.

Axar Patel has arrived in Dubai to replace Jadeja. All-rounder Hardik Pandya is also likely to return to the team. Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik are also likely to play together. It is a big relief for India that former captain Virat Kohli has returned to form.

Suryakumar Yadav's performance in the last game was exciting. However, India needs the partnership of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. Rahul wasting balls after his break from injury is not a good sign. In bowling ,Bhuvaneswar Kumar's form gives hope. Hardik's return will also benefit the bowling. If Axar Patel is to be replaced by Jadeja in the spin department, either Avesh Khan or Arshdeep Singh will have to be replaced.

Pakistan's victory over Hong Kong is worrying India. The problem is that the Pakistan bowling line-up managed to bowl Hong Kong out for 38 runs. Pacer Naseem Shah, who made his Twenty20 debut in the match against India, took two wickets each in both the matches. Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani and Mohammad Nawaz are also good Pakistani bowlers. Their hope in batting is the opening partnership of captain Babar Azam and keeper Mohammad Rizwan. Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed may also cause challenge for the Indian bowlers.