Asia Cup 2018: Probable Indian Playing XI for the Group Stage

Pacers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah

Bhuvi's return to full fitness will be a welcome news for Team India

Much like the spin-twins of India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah can easily be called the pace-twins of India. Bhuvi and Bumrah have been one of the best partners doing the rounds in pace bowling across the globe.

Bhuvi's swing right at the start of the game and his ability to control the game in the end overs as well makes him a marvellous pick for India in any format. He was badly missed in the recently concluded test series against England due to injury and the result could have been so easily different had he been fully fit.

He has 90 ODI wickets with an economy of 5 and India would be extremely benefitted in having him in the eleven. He has added a fantastic tool to his armoury called knuckleball which should come as a big threat to batsmen.

Well, with the bat, he has been outstanding for India lower down the order of late. He can contribute 20-25 crucial runs down the order, and it makes a big difference when the runs come from the 'tail'.

Bumrah's toe-crushers could turn the tables for India

Bumrah was picked in the Indian team due to his ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers coupled with slower ones which outfox the batsmen. He has been very consistent with the ball for India and much like Bhuvi, bowls with the new ball in the powerplay and comes back in the end overs to deny the opposition the so-called final flourish.

He has 64 wickets to his name at a miserly economy of 4.65. A fully fit Bhuvi and Bumrah are very crucial for India's chances in this Asia Cup.