5 Indian players who can take the Asia Cup by storm

2. Smriti Mandhana

Bespectacled now, Mandhana is more focused than ever.

The deputy skipper of the side goes into the tournament with a stunning run of consistency to boost her morale going into the silverware event. With seven fifties in last nine games and a score of 42 in one of the two "off-days", Mandhana has shaken off the criticism she got in the World Cup last year for being erratic in her performances.

Having found consistency, the stalwart opener from Mumbai can be relied upon to give solid starts at the top of the order as well as hit the long ball if the situation demands it. She has the numbers in the format to inspire the confidence, averaging a shade over 24, striking the ball at 116.21, a rate very respectable for the format. Ranked #7 in the ICC rankings in T20Is, Mandhana forms an integral part of the set-up and her inputs will be crucial to Harmanpreet in the decision-making process.