Nidahas Trophy 2018: Expected Indian playing XI against Bangladesh in the final

So, here we are then. After two weeks of pulsating cricket coupled with ugly altercations and celebratory gimmicks like the 'Nagin' dance and its counter 'snake-charmer' celebration, we have finally entered the business end of the tournament.

Bangladesh thanks to the heroics of Mahmudullah, who maintained his demeanour amidst the chaos that ensued in the final over, pipped Sri Lanka to enter the Nidahas Trophy final.

They would be against an opponent whom they have failed to beat thus far in the shortest format of the game.

India, after a blip in the first game finally got their bearings together and enter the showpiece game on the back of three successive wins, two against the same opposition they'll lock horns for claiming the Nidahas Trophy.

Here's the proabale XI that India will field in the Nidahas Trophy finals:

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Openers

#1 Rohit Sharma (Captain)

Rohit Sharma would be hoping for an encore in the final

The Indian captain finally reversed a string of modest scores with a brilliant 89 against Bangladesh in his team's last league encounter.

Sharma, who broke the Indian record of most sixes hit by a batsman, previously held by Yuvraj Singh (74) looked prime for his third T20I hundred only to get run-out in the last over.

The Indian captain would be hoping for an encore of his previous performance on Sunday night.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan has been in scintillating form

Joining Sharma at the top will be Shikhar Dhawan.

The southpaw has been in outstanding form throughout the Nidahas Trophy having amassed 188 runs at a compelling average of 47.0 and the belligerent left-hander would be looking to replicate the same in the finals.

Dhawan had a rare failure in the last game against Bangladesh and he'd be hoping to make amends in the final.

Middle Order

#3 Suresh Raina

Raina has been a vital cog in the middle order

Ever since Suresh Raina has come back into the Indian side, the lanky left-hander has adopted a see the ball, hit the ball type of an approach evident from his strike rate of 137.33.

While Raina's aggressive play helps India maximise the first six to eight overs, the problem with that approach is that the bowler is always in the game with a hope to induce a mishit.

The immediate consequence of it is Raina, who is one of the best batsmen of spin bowling, is seldom around when the latter comes into the attack.

India would be hoping Raina gets a big one in the finals which will be prudent not only for the team but also for the Southpaw himself.

#4 KL Rahul

It will be a crucial game for Rahul

At No.4 comes KL Rahul.

It is an important game for the Indian Test opener who has been warming the bench for quite some time and would be hoping for a match-defining performance in a bid to stake his claim in India's white-ball setup.

In the two matches that Rahul has played thus far in the Nidahas Trophy, he has already achieved a dubious record of the first Indian batsman to get hit-wicket in a T20I (against Sri Lanka) and has accumulated 18 runs at a strike rate of 105.88.

#5 Manish Pandey

Pandey played a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka

Manish Pandey has carried his purple patch all the way from Centurion to Colombo. Pandey has shown remarkable temperament while coming in tricky situations.

Pandey who has accumulated 106 runs at a strike rate of 124.71 displayed his skill and temperament to the hilt in India's group stage encounter against Sri Lanka where he (42 unbeaten) and Karthik (39 not out) crafted a match-winning 68 run partnership to seal a six-wicket win for India.

Wicketkeeper

#6 Dinesh Karthik

Only the fourth keeper to scalp 50 stumpings

Taking up the responsibility of wicket-keeping will the ever so reliable Dinesh Karthik.

Karthik, who joined a coveted list of wicketkeepers to effect 50 stumpings in T20s, has been as safe as a house in this series and with spinners primed to have a significant impact on the game, Karthik's immaculate technique can come to the fore in a tight situation of the final.

On the batting front Karthik has chipped in with handy knocks, the most pivotal being a calculative 48 not-out that steered India to victory against Sri Lanka.

All-Rounder

#7 Vijay Shankar

Shankar has been steady with his performances in the tournament

Taking up the all-rounder spot will be Vijay Shankar. Shankar, after being highly consistent at the First-class level for Tamil Nadu was finally rewarded with an Indian cap in the ongoing series.

On pitches that have not been too kind for the medium-fast bowlers, Shankar has fared admirably well especially in tricky situations and has picked up three wickets in four outings.

Though he has not got the opportunity to show his prowess as a power hitter, the final will give Shankar as an opportunity to showcase his talent as an all-rounder if the team finds itself in a tight situation.

Spinners

#8 Yuzvendra Chahal

The spin sensation has been one of the main players for India in the tournament

With five wickets in four matches at an economy of 6 94, Yuzvendra Chahal walks his way into the XI.

After an indifferent first game, Chahal has come back really well and has been one of the cornerstones to India's success in the tournament.

#9 Washington Sundar

Sundar has been the MVP for India

Washington Sundar has proved to be the find for the Men in Blue in the Nidahas Trophy.

Blessed with a big heart and steely temperament coupled with guile and variations, Sundar has been the go-to bowler for Rohit Sharma whether it is the powerplay overs or the middle.

Sundar along with Chahal has formed a formidable partnership for India having scalped 13 wickets between of which the left-armer has picked up eight including a three-wicket haul against Bangladesh.

Fast bowlers

#10 Shardul Thakur

The tournament has been a learning curve for Shardul Thakur

The Nidahas Trophy has turned out to be a great learning curve for Shardul Thakur.

After being taken for 27 runs off one over in the opening encounter, the young fast bowler came storming back and proceeded to deliver a match-winning performance (4-27 in four overs) in a crucial league encounter against Bangladesh.

The fast bowler has added the knuckle-ball in his arsenal, and his clever use of the skill has reaped sweet rewards and he'd be hoping for an encore of the same in the finals.

#11 Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat would be hoping for an improved performance

And Jaydev Unadkat who was benched in a bid to give rookie fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is expected to take the latters place in the finals.

Siraj had a forgettable outing in the previous game having conceded 50 runs in four overs.

While Unadkat has been expensive, he has picked up wickets at crucial stages of the match and his inclusion gives the bowling, which has two right-handed bowlers, experience as well as variety.