Asia Cup 2018: India's possible playing XI for the first game against Hong Kong

After a disappointing Test tour of England, the Indian team will have their eyes locked on defending their Asia Cup trophy which they won in 2016 by defeating the hosts Bangladesh in the final.

The India team in this year's Asia Cup will be without their charismatic skipper Virat Kohli who has been rested after a hectic three-month tour of England in order to keep Kohli fresh for the away tour of Australia in November.

The Men in Blue are going to begin their Asia Cup defense against minnows Hong Kong tomorrow at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Hence in this article let us look at India's possible playing XI for the first game against Hong Kong in Asia Cup 2018:

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Openers

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Rohit will have an added responsibility in Asia Cup 2018 as a skipper.

In the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian team in this year's Asia Cup. The Hitman is currently one of the most devastating batsmen in limited over formats going around and would look to lead from the front by scoring loads of runs in this year's Asia Cup and help India retain the Asia Cup.

Despite his struggles Test format, Shikhar Dhawan has been one of India's best batsmen in limited overs from past five years and thereby Dhawan will look to put behind his Test failures with good batting performances in this year's Asia Cup.

Middle order

KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav

Asia Cup 2018 gives KL Rahul a chance to cement his place in Indian one day

squad

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KL Rahul showed signs of returning back to form with a superb hundred in the recently concluded final Test match between India and England and hence will occupy the No. 3 batting position, in the absence of Virat Kohli. Also, this year's Asia Cup gives KL Rahul the best chance of sealing his spot in the Indian ODI team.

The No. 4 batting position which has been India biggest problem since the conclusion of World Cup 2011 is going to be a toss-up between Manish Pandey, Dinesh Kartik and Ambati Rayudu. But since Manish Pandey has been in good form off late and hence might pip out Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu to bat at No. 4.

Before he went down with an injury in this year's IPL, Kedar Jadhav was a regular member of Indian ODI team and used to play the role of a finisher and with his ability to chip in few overs with the ball makes Kedhar Jadhav an automatic choice in the playing XI for this year's Asia Cup.

Wicketkeeper and All-rounder

MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya

MS Dhoni will most probably be playing his last Asia Cup.

Despite being on the fag end of his cricketing career, MS Dhoni continues to be the first choice wicket-keeper batsman for the Indian team in the ODI format. Having lifted Asia Cup last time around as a skipper, MS Dhoni will look forward to help India defend its Asia Cup trophy with good performances from the bat.

Also, this might be MS Dhoni's last Asia Cup as a player because it is highly unlikely that Dhoni will play next edition of Asia Cup in 2020 as he would be 39 years of age by then.

Being the only pace bowling all-rounder in the squad, Hardik Pandya is guaranteed to be picked for every game in this year's Asia Cup. But, as seen in recently concluded India-England series, Hardik Pandya's batting, as well as bowling, leaves a lot to be desired. However, due to lack of quality all-rounders in the domestic circuit, Hardik Pandya's place in the Indian team is certain for time being in the shorter formats of the game.

Pacers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed could make his debut against Hong Kong.

Having missed the whole Test series against England due to an injury, Bhuvneshwar Kumar would be raring have a go at this year's Asia Cup as Bhuvi's good performance with the ball is key to India's chances of retaining the Asia Cup.

Considering that he is coming after a hectic tour of England and was also injured recently, it is necessary that Indian team management gives Jasprit Bumrah a necessary rest and give chance to young left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed to make his international debut against minnows Hong Kong, as Khaleel Ahmed has been highly rated by Rahul Dravid and current selector Venkatesh Prasad.

#5 Spinners

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal

The turning pitches in UAE will help Kuldeep and Chahal.

Having tormented the English batsmen at their own grounds with his Chinaman bowling in the one-day and T20 series, Kuldeep Yadav will look to continue his good form with the ball in the shorter formats on more helpful UAE pitches.

Although not effective as his spin colleague Kuldeep, Yuzvendra Chahal has been an important member of Indian team in the shorter formats off the game, because of his ability to provide breakthroughs at crucial junctures and hence will be an automatic choice in the playing XI against minnows Hong Kong.