3 reasons why India are not the favourites to win the Asia cup

Team India have been unstoppable in the 50-over version of the game in the recent times, thanks to some outstanding performances of the Indian cricketers. The team's overall performance has gone a few notches up in the last 2 years.

The Indian skipper Virat Kohli has played a big part in the team's success leading from the front and scoring hundreds at will. Arguably the best ODI batsman in the contemporary times, Kohli has been the numero uno for India with the bat in ODI cricket.

India's next ODI assignment is the Asia Cup 2018 which will be played in the UAE commencing on September 15. The selectors have made a surprising move by resting the Indian skipper for this tournament which is a big blow for team India already.

Let us take a look at 3 reasons why India are not the favorites to win the Asia Cup.

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#3 Fragile middle order

In the absence of Virat Kohli, India's middle order is uncharacteristically weak

In the absence of Virat Kohli, there is not a single batsman in the middle order who can anchor the innings after a top-order collapse in a stingy run-chase. If Rohit and Shikhar fall early, then that might be it for India on the day.

Manish Pandey has been in and out of the side and KL Rahul has shown no resilience in the middle order. Ambati Rayudu is making a comeback after a long time while Kedar Jadhav has not played much cricket after his injury. Amidst all this, Dhoni has struggled to play his role of the finisher on several occasions.

The problems are in plenty for team India in the middle order and absence of Kohli is likely to be felt. The middle-order batsmen have to show resilience and not throw their wicket away. With the range of shots they have got, they can always catch up with the scoring rate.

#2 Unfamiliar territory

Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host the India vs Pakistan encounter

The Men in Blue haven't played much cricket in UAE in recent times. The last time India played an ODI in UAE was in April 2006 when no one from the current team except Dhoni was around. The last instance of Indian cricketers playing any other recognized tournament in that country was in 2014 when they played the first leg of the IPL there.

The conditions and the heat factor are going to play a major part. Also, controversial scheduling is not doing a world of good to India's chances either. India are chalked in to play their first game against the winners of the qualifiers on September 18 and they face their arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-voltage game the very next day on September 19.

However, the only consolation seems to be that these Indian cricketers are one of the fittest athletes who have the stamina to endure the grueling conditions.

#1 Weakness against quality spin and left arm fast bowling

Indian batting line-up is susceptible to left-arm pace bowling

There is no denying that the Indian batsmen have been susceptible to spin bowling both in the red-ball as well as white-ball cricket whereas India's weakness against quality left-arm fast bowling is no secret.

The teams participating in the Asia Cup have got a perfectly balanced combination to exploit India's weaknesses. The likes of Rashid Khan, Shakib Al Hasan, Akila Dananjaya and Mujeeb ur Rahman will be bowling to Indian batsmen in the tournament whereas Pakistan has got a battery of left-arm pacers keeping in mind the India game.

If the Indians don't find answers, soon they will get themselves in deep trouble. Indian batsmen need to keep aside their complacency while facing the spinners and not look to play ambitious shots when they are not required.