Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan key for India in Asia Cup, says Brett Lee

With the regular captain Kohli rested for the six-nation tournament, to be played in the United Arab Emirates later this month, Sharma has been handed the leadership role and Dhawan has been named his deputy. Lee believes that the added responsibility will help get the best out of the stand-in captain.

“Two key batsmen for India in the Asia Cup – Shikhar Dhawan and secondly Rohit Sharma. I believe Rohit will get the best out of himself and also the team because he has been given that extra bit of responsibility to lead the Indian side. With Virat Kohli not playing, Rohit and Dhawan will be the two key men with the bat for India,” the former Australian pacer was quoted as saying by Star Sports.

Sharma has scored 224 runs at an average of 32 in the 10 innings that he has played in the Asia Cup so far, with two fifties to his name. Dhawan, on the other hand, has participated in just one edition of the tournament — in 2014. He accumulated 192 runs at an average of 48 in the four innings he played.

Lee, who scalped 690 wickets for Australia in an international career that spanned over 13 years, believes that the conditions in the UAE will suit the batting style of the Indian opening pair.

“The great Virat Kohli is being rested for the tournament, so that allows Shikhar and Rohit to be pushed up. There is a lot of talk about how Rohit can’t face left-arm fast bowlers – with the swing and the ball going across him. But I don’t necessarily agree with that. What I can say is that in the UAE it will be a different style he will have to face. Yes, they will bring on the left-arm fast bowlers to target Rohit but I believe on the lower and slower wickets in UAE, Rohit will dominate. I believe the wicket will help him out,” said the 41-year-old.

“Dhawan has come in form during his bout in England but will have to adjust a few things in his techniques to ensure he will be playing on the surfaces that will be conducive to him. He has played on grounds all around India that are low and slow in recent years, and the tracks in UAE will suit him, allowing him to play through the line of the ball.”