Asia Cup 2018: How India will line up in the tournament

Middle-Order: Rahul, Rayudu, and Manish

The prized number four slot is still up for grabs

Lokesh Rahul's nightmarish Test series in England turned into a fairy-tale at the eleventh hour. Just as people started losing faith in the IPL's million-dollar-man, he plundered a century out of the blue. Hopefully, it is the start of a purple patch for the Kannadiga.

The only thing which stood between Rayudu and an international comeback was the "yo-yo" test. The CSK star overcame that hurdle and helped India A lift the Quadrangular series trophy with scores of 62, 48, and 66. With Rayudu in his prime, the number four conundrum for the World Cup might finally end.

Manish Pandey looked out of sorts in the IPL this year and consequently was snubbed for the England tour. The SRH star didn't waste any time knocking on the selectors' door again by piling on 306 runs in 4 innings and remained unbeaten on all occasions. Another contender for the coveted number four spot, Pandey has a lot at stake in this tournament.