Asia Cup 2018: India's probable lineup against Pakistan

India vs Pakistan has always been a fascinating contest with two heavyweights of cricket with an enormous passion for the game fighting tooth and nails to make their country proud. In the upcoming Asia Cup 2018, India and Pakistan will lock horns once again in what is being touted as one of the most-awaited cricketing fixtures of this year where both the arch-rivals will take on the field in UAE for yet another classic.

India’s 16-man squad have enough firepower to defeat Pakistan, even without its backbone and skipper Virat Kohli. The Rohit-Sharma led team will look to give a statement by defeating their arch-rivals with arguably its second-string side.

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Asia Cup 2018: India’s probable playing XI against Pakistan:

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma

Both Dhawan and Rohit have been exceptional for India in the shorter format of the game and with a weaker side in the Asia Cup, both of the experienced guys from the dressing room have a lot of responsibility of delivering and providing a good start for India.

Middle Order: KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav/Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni

KL Rahul has looked a different player for India in the ODI circuit and will fill the big shoes of Virat Kohli this time at the Asia Cup 2018, while Manish Pandey, who has been on a sensational run of form in the recently concluded Quadrangular series will get his opportunity to seal the deal in the playing XI for future. While, Kedar Jadhav, who is coming after a lengthy spell on sidelines due to injury will probably get the nod due to his bowling, but don’t be surprised if Ambati Rayudu gets picked ahead of him. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni will don the keeping gloves and might bat up the order.

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All-rounder: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is one of the best in the shorter format of the game. His hard-hitting ability and variations with the ball can change any game within a blink of an eye. His heroics against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 will be enough to seal the deal for him in the starting XI.

Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal

The wristy duo of Yadav and Chahal have been exceptional for India and with UAE pitches assisting the spinners, the wicket-taking duo is expected to continue their good partnership for India in the Asia Cup 2018.

Pacers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

Both the pacers have been in and out from the Indian team due to injury concerns for some time now. However, with both the pacers now fit, they hold the key for India’s title chances in the Asia Cup 2018.

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Here is India’s probable playing XI:

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav/Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

India will take on Pakistan on September 19 in the Asia Cup 2018.