Nidahas Trophy 2018: India's predicted XI to take on Bangladesh in the final

Having overcome a hiccup following their defeat in the tournament opener at the hands of hosts Sri Lanka, India, led by stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma, sailed into the final of the Nidahas Trophy with three consecutive wins.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, made life complicated for themselves, making a meal of a relatively simple run-chase in the virtual semi-final against Sri Lanka before Mahmudullah's heroics put to bed ghosts of matches past.

The Men in Blue easily overcame Shakib Al Hasan's side in the group stage encounters and head into the final as firm favourites. It is never wise to change a winning combination, but will the team management take heed of that advice? Here is a look at how India could line up for the all-important final:

Openers

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has hit a pale patch of late and has gotten out cheaply in his last few outings. In the team's last league match against Bangladesh, Rohit took his time early on and scored a 61-ball 89 to help India post a decent total of 176 runs on the board and seal the victory.

Contrary to Rohit's form, his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan has been enjoying a purple patch over the last two-three months. The southpaw has been India's best batsman in the Nidahas Trophy and he will look to continue his good work in the final as well.

Middle order

KL Rahul, who was made to sit out for the first two matches, got his chance for the third match against Sri Lanka and was dismissed in a bizarre manner after getting a start. He didn't get a chance to bat in the last match and in all likelihood, will be a part of the India side in the all-important final.

Ever since making a comeback, Suresh Raina has looked like a man on a mission as he has contributed to the team's cause on a consistent basis. Raina, being an experienced campaigner, will look to take the Men in Blue all the way to glory.

Slowly, but steadily, Manish Pandey has been sealing his place in the T20I and ODI sides with some consistent performances in the format. He has been very crucial for Rohit Sharma and co. in the ongoing tournament and the skipper will want his in-form batsman to come good in the final.

Wicketkeeper and all-rounder

In the absence of MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik has performed really well. He hardly got a chance to make an impact in the first two T20Is but stepped it up when it mattered the most in the third T20I against Sri Lanka with an unbeaten 39 to take his team home.

All-rounder Vijay Shankar has shocked everyone with his brilliant performances with the ball in the ongoing tournament. Though he was unlucky not to be amongst the wickets, he has done a brilliant job in the middle overs by varying his pace and length to keep the batsmen at bay. He is yet to get a chance to show his batting powers and will look to continue his good work with the ball and do well with the bat if he gets a chance to swing his willow in the final.

Spinners

The 18-year-old Washington Sundar has been one of the finds for the Indian cricket team in this series. He has performed exceptionally well with the ball, hardly giving away any runs and picking up wickets at regular intervals as well on a consistent basis. He is certainly one for the future and will hope to make a mark for himself in the final against Bangladesh.

Yuzvendra Chahal, who had a memorable 2017 with the ball in the format, has been off-color in 2018 as he has been taken to the cleaners in the T20Is he has played this year. In spite of that, he has been chipping in with wickets for his team in the middle overs and this is what makes him so potent.

Pacers

In spite of going for a lot of runs in the first match against Sri Lanka and the fourth match against Bangladesh, Shardul Thakur came back really well in those matches and the 26-year-old Mumbaikar was fantastic in the other two matches as he led the Indian pace attack with aplomb. He is India's leading wicket-taker in the series and will hope to spearhead the Indian attack in the next match as well.

Jaydev Unadkat was made to sit out of the last league game against Bangladesh and Mohammed Siraj replaced the left-arm seamer and went for a lot of runs in his four overs. In all likelihood, Unadkat will come back into the playing XI for the final.