Asia Cup, 2018: 4 changes India can make against Afghanistan

India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan for the second time in Asia Cup 2018. The Indian team kept their unbeaten run in Asia Cup 2018 intact by winning the match by 9 wickets. Even though Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik threatened to take the game away from India, the Indian bowlers came back in the game brilliantly restricting the opposition to only 237 runs.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan scored centuries as India chased down the target comfortably. With this win, India also secured a place in the final which will be played on the 28th. India has won both its Super Four matches and is ahead of other teams both on points as well as net run-rate. Thus, India can afford to experiment with their playing XI in their last Super Four match against Afghanistan.

India will want to give players, who haven't got a game so far in the tournament, a chance. Also, India will want to finalise their playing XI for the big final. So here are the changes India can make in the game against Afghanistan.

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#4 Khaleel Ahmed in place of Jasprit Bumrah

Ahmed was impressive against Hong Kong

Khaleel Ahmed made an impressive debut against Hong Kong by picking up 3 wickets in his 9 overs giving away 45 runs. He looked sharp and bowled with good pace. However, Ahmed lost his place to Jasprit Bumrah in the game against Pakistan.

Bumrah has been India's go-to bowler in ODIs. Bumrah, who is currently number 1 in ICC Bowlers' Ranking, was on target with his deadly yorkers and did not allow Pakistan to get easy runs in the death overs. However, the Indian team management might want to ensure that he is fit for the final and rest him against Afghanistan.

#3 Siddharth Kaul in place of Kuldeep Yadav

Kaul made his ODI debut against England

The spinners have been the key to India's success in the Asia Cup so far. The tracks in U.A.E have been conducive to spin bowling and the Indian spinners have taken full advantage of it. However, the team management will also be aware of the fact that India has played 4 matches in the space of 6 days and thus it will be important to keep the players fresh for the big final.

In order to do that, India might rest Kuldeep Yadav in the next match. Siddharth Kaul, who did not have the best of starts to his international career against England, might be brought in. Kaul was brilliant for Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling in the death overs in the IPL and might be entrusted with the same responsibility against Afghanistan.

#2 Manish Pandey in place of Ambati Rayudu

Pandey was in good form playing for India A before Asia Cup

Manish Pandey made a comeback to the ODI team after hitting big runs for India A in the quadrangular tournament. Pandey looked in good nick and was expected to get a place in the middle-order. But Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu were preferred over him and Pandey hasn't got a game in the Asia Cup yet. However, with the Indian team already in the finals, Manish Pandey might get a look in.

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The unlucky one to miss out might be Ambati Rayudu. Even though Rayudu hasn't done anything wrong with the bat, he has batted in each match, on the other hand, Jadhav and Karthik haven't had that opportunity. And thus, Rayudu might have to make way for Manish Pandey.

#1 KL Rahul in place of Shikhar Dhawan

Rahul will want to make the most of this opportunity

Shikhar Dhawan has been in sensational form in the Asia Cup. The left-hander, who did not have the best of the Test series against England, has played some stunning innings at the top of the order. He has scored consistently and is currently the highest run-getter in the tournament.

However, Dhawan has been playing cricket non-stop and needs to be rested at some point of time. With India already in the finals, he might get the much-needed rest in the game against Afghanistan. Dhawan can be replaced by KL Rahul. Rahul has been waiting for his chance for a long time now and will be raring to go. He was dropped from the playing XI in the final game against England in the ODI series and will certainly want to prove a point.