Asia Cup 2018: 3 possible replacements for Hardik Pandya

India's Asia Cup campaign did not start on a very positive note as they fought hard for a narrow victory against Hong Kong. The men in blue, however, returned to their best when it was needed the most - in a game against arch-rivals Pakistan. A game that was posed to be an 'edge of the seat thriller' became a dull one-sided contest as Rohit Sharma's men outclassed their rivals in every department.

However, amidst all the ecstasy, India have got a headache in the form of Hardik Pandya. The swashbuckling all-rounder, who is a crucial member of the team, was injured in the game while he was finishing up his fifth over. MRI scan reports will reveal details of his injury, but judging by the manner he was carried off the ground, it looked very serious and Hardik can very well be out of the competition.

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If that is the case, Rohit Sharma needs to find a perfect replacement and he needs to do it quickly as his team will be taking on a high-flying Bangladesh after a day's rest. Let us have a look at some players from the Asia Cup squad who can replace Pandya.

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#3 Axar Patel

Patel (right) can be the straight all-rounder to all-rounder swap

India does not possess a repertoire of quality all-rounders, and hence, finding an all-rounder as a replacement for Hardik Pandya can be a tough job. Axar Patel can be the likely straight swap Shastri and Sharma might be looking for. The job of the fifth bowler was expected to be done by Pandya and Kedar Jadhav, but now that the former is injured, India might look for someone who can bowl a good chunk of overs.

Axar Patel has played 38 ODIs for India and is five wickets away from 50 ODI wickets. He has a highly impressive economy rate of slightly over four runs per over. Speaking of his batting ability, he has scored 181 runs in ODI cricket and has a strike rate of nearly 100.

#2 KL Rahul

KL Rahul's addition will add depth to Indian batting

Another route that India can opt for is going with an extra batsman. Kedar Jadhav has done a great job with the ball against Pakistan, conceding just 23 runs in 9 overs and picking up 3 wickets, one amongst which is the crucial wicket of Pakistani skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. Rohit Sharma can trust the spinner to do the job of a fifth bowler.

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If that's the case, then India can go with the cushion of an extra batsman, KL Rahul being the perfect candidate. After a marvellous IPL, Rahul had a difficult time in England but ended the tour on a positive note with a century. Being naturally aggressive, he can keep the scoreboard ticking if India loses their openers early.

#1 K Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed was exceptional on his debut against Hong Kong

The current Indian team looks very well balanced, but the nearly-perfect jigsaw has one missing piece - a left-arm pacer. To fulfil this quota, BCCI are backing the Rajasthani youngster K Khaleel Ahmed. The 20-year-old was handed his debut against Hong Kong and in a match where the experienced campaigners struggled to get wickets, Ahmed got 3 crucial wickets and gave only 48 runs in his quota of 10 overs.

Not only that, the man from Tonk took the wicket of Nizakat Khan who could have won the game for Hong Kong had he stayed in the crease for few more overs. Hence, his omission from the team against Pakistan came as a shocker for many, but India can recall the pacer into the playing XI if they are looking to flex their bowling muscles.