After a thrilling victory against Pakistan few days back, India will be playing against Hong Kong at Dubai today. Looking at the current form and the depth of this Indian team, they are clear favorites to win this contest. However, the last time when these two sides met each other in 2018 Asia Cup, Hong Kong played brilliantly and took the game till the end.
Hong Kong, did pretty well in Asia Cup Qualifiers to reach this stage by winning three consecutive games against Singapore, Kuwait & UAE and would look to carry the same momentum in group stage of Asia Cup against India and Pakistan.
Toss could be a crucial factor in today's match and India might give a chance to play Rishabh Pant in the XI. KL Rahul's form has been a big concern for Indian fans in recent times and this game could be much needed one for him to boost his confidence.
India winning this game would mean they will become 2nd team to qualify for Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2022, while a loss for team India could make things more interesting in this Asia Cup group. Here in this article, we will have a look at some of the key numbers and stats before start of the game.
2 - Hong Kong and India have met each other twice in international cricket before in 2008 and 2018. India won both those ODI games by a margin of 256 runs and 26 runs, respectively.
2 - Ravindra Jadeja needs 43 more runs to become 2nd Indian after Hardik Pandya to smash 500 runs and pick 50 wickets in men's T20I.
3 - Yuzvendra Chahal needs 3 more wickets to pick 200 wickets in international cricket.
5 - Hong Kong men's team have won 5 out of 8 T20I games that they have played in 2022.
Most wins for Hong Kong men's T20I team in a calendar year:
5 wins in 2015
5 wins in 2022
In 2015 also Hong Kong had won 5 matches out 8 T20Is that they played.
8 - Hardik Pandya needs 3 more sixes to become 8th Indian batsman to complete 50 sixes in T20I cricket.
14 - 14 out 15 matches have been won by teams bowling first at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in T20Is since T20 WC 2021.
22 - Hong skipper Nizakat Khan needs 22 more runs to become the first player to smash 1000 runs in T20Is for Hong Kong.
30 - In a short span of time, Rohit Sharma has won 30 out of 36 T20I matches as captain.
Most matches won as Captain in men's T20I:
Eoin Morgan - 44 (72 matches)
MS Dhoni - 42 (72 matches)
Asghar Afghan - 42 (52 matches)
Aaron Finch - 36 (65 matches)
Virat Kohli - 32 (50 matches)
Kane Williamson - 30 (59 matches)
Rohit Sharma - 30 (36 matches)
62.66 - Virat Kohli has a batting average of 62.66 in men's T20I Asia Cup. He has smashed 188 runs from 5 innings.
Virat Kohli's score in T20I Asia Cup:
7(12) vs BAN in Mirpur, 2016
49(51) vs PAK in Mirpur, 2016
56*(47) vs SL in Mirpur, 2016
41*(28) vs BAN in Mirpur, 2016 - Finals
35(34) vs PAK in Dubai, 2022