Asia Cup 2018: 3 reasons why Pakistan will defeat India

#3 Absence of Virat Kohli

India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Final

India's full-time captain Virat Kohli was handed a much-deserved rest after a gruelling England tour where he led the team from the front. In his absence, India's limited-overs specialist Rohit Sharma was named the captain.

Kohli has a healthy record against Pakistan in ODIs - 459 runs in 12 matches with two centuries. As was exhibited by him in the last India-Pakistan Asia Cup encounter, the right-hander has the capability to withstand the pressure if his openers fail to keep Pakistan pacers at bay.

Moreover, he is by far the best ODI batsman in the sport and any team would get weakened by his absence.