Asia Cup 2018: India's expected playing XI for the final 

The match between India and Afghanistan ended in an epic tie after Rashid Khan defended 7 runs in the last over. However, India will consider itself unlucky as there were a couple of run-outs in their innings because of the bat getting stuck in the ground. There were also a couple of umpiring decisions that also went against the Indian team.

But one should not forget that India wasn't playing with it's strongest side. With the team already in the finals, the Indian team management experimented a lot by making a barrage of changes in the playing XI.

As many as 5 front-line players, including Captain Rohit Sharma, were rested in the match against Afghanistan. This gave an opportunity to the benched players to get some match-time. It was also much-needed because the Indian middle-order hadn't got much of a hit. The match went down to the wire and ended in a tie.

Now that the Super Four stage is almost done and dusted, it's time for the big final. We will look at India's predicted playing XI for the final.

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Openers

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan and Rohit has been terrific form in Asia Cup

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have decimated bowling-attacks in the Asia Cup. Shikhar Dhawan came into the tournament after a forgettable Test series against England. While he struggled against the red ball, Dhawan seemed to be at home against the white ball. The southpaw has scored two tons so far and is the leading run-scorer of the series.

Dhawan's opening partner has been in rich vein of form too. Rohit Sharma scored a classy hundred against Pakistan on Sunday and will be crucial to India's chances in the final as well. Rohit has also impressed everyone with his captaincy.

Middle-order

Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni

Rayudu has scored 2 fifties in Asia Cup 2018

The Indian middle-order hasn't got much opportunity in the tournament so far because of the terrific form of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. However, the likes of Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik have not done much wrong in the few chances that they got.

Rayudu has struck two half-centuries in the series so far and has looked in good nick. Karthik also played an important innings under pressure against Afghanistan before getting dismissed due to a poor umpiring decision and will hold on to his place in the playing XI.

Though KL Rahul batted decently against Afghanistan, he might have to warm the bench once again in the final. Even though Dhoni hasn't scored many runs so far, his experience will be key in the big finals.

All-rounders

Kedar Jadhav and Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja has taken 7 wickets in 3 matches

Kedar Jadhav has done enough with the ball to be considered a proper all-rounder. Jadhav has been highly efficient with the ball and has provided India crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.

He also spent a decent amount of time at the crease in the match against Afghanistan before getting run-out. Jadhav will look to play the role of a finisher.

Ravindra Jadeja was called in the ODI side due to the injury to Hardik Pandya. Jadeja has been good with the ball and has picked up 7 wickets in 3 innings. And even though he failed to win the match with the bat against Afghanistan, Jadeja did play a fighting innings and it will boost his confidence going into the finals.

Spinners

Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav

Chahal was rested against Afghanistan

Conditions in UAE have been suitable for spin bowling and the Indian spinners have taken full advantage of it. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been simply outstanding for Team India in the middle overs.

They have not only provided wickets but have also been extremely miserly. Chahal and Kuldeep have complimented each other quite well and have bowled well in tandem. Rohit Sharma has used them brilliantly giving them short-spells.

The spin twins have troubled the opposition batsmen throughout the Asia Cup and will be expected to play a huge role in the final.

Pacers

Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bumrah has been fantastic in the death overs

Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been India's strength in this Asia Cup. Bhuvi, who did not start well against Hong Kong, came back strongly by delivering a man-of-the-match performance against Pakistan in the group stage. He has bowled tight lines in the powerplays and will look to continue that in the final too.

Bumrah is currently the number one ODI bowler in the world and he has justified the tag. He has bowled some fantastic spells in the tournament. His bowling in the death overs has been unplayable at times; not allowing the opposition batsmen to get easy runs.