India's probable 15-member squad and starting XI for Asia Cup

The much-awaited Asia Cup is set to begin in a month of time. The 2018 Asia Cup will be held in the 50-over format. The much-hyped series is all set to begin from 15th of September. Five teams- India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Srilanka, and Bangladesh, will be taking part in the upcoming Asia Cup.

The tournament has created a great sense of excitement among the India-Pakistan fans as they will be witnessing yet another clash between the arch-rivals, India and Pakistan. The 2018 Asia Cup will be held in UAE at two venues, Dubai International Stadium in Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Although India has an outstanding group of players in the limited overs setup, there remains a sense of uncertainty as in who will make the squad for the tournament. Thus, in this slider, we will be looking at India's probable 15-member squad as well as the starting XI for the tournament.

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Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Unquestionably, the Rohit-Dhawan pair is one of the best opening pairs in the current course of ODI cricket. More importantly, this pair has done wonders in the Indian subcontinent. Thus, with Asia Cup to be held in UAE where conditions will be matching the subcontinent types, the Indian team is unlikely to tinker the Rohit-Dhawan combination.

Despite some wayward performances in the recent past, Rohit deserves a place in the starting XI. Thus, considering Rohit's exploits as an opener, he is most likely to feature in India's starting XI for the much-awaited Asia Cup.

Same has been the case for Shikhar Dhawan for last two months. Dhawan has seemed too casual in his foot movement which has cost him a lot in the last two ODI series against South Africa and England. However, for a player of Dhawan's stature, a comeback is closer than you think. Thus, Gabbar is expected to retain his place in the starting XI for the Asia Cup to be held in UAE.

Middle-Order: Virat Kohli (C) and Ambati Rayadu

No questions asked Virat Kohli has to be the first name on the team sheet when it comes to predicting XI irrespective of the formats. Not only because he is the captain of the Indian team but also due to his reputation that he carries along with himself. He will be India's central figure (well, he always is) in the Asia Cup.

Ambati Rayadu lit up the IPL with his excellent performances for Chennai Super Kings. Owing to his extraordinary display in IPL, Rayadu made his way back to the T20I squad for the series against Ireland and England. However, after having failed the Yo-Yo test, Rayadu was omitted from the squad. Nevertheless, Rayadu is expected to make a comeback to the ODI squad for the Asia Cup. Ambati's addition to the XI could help India in solving the middle-order conundrum. Thus, safe to say, Rayadu deserves a place in the starting XI for Asia Cup.

Wicket-keeper and All-rounder: MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya

Although MS Dhoni has been under the scanner after the mediocre series against England, his exploits as a batsman and as a wicketkeeper can't be undermined. Thus, Dhoni's place in the starting XI needs no vindications. His stature obviates the need for it.

Hardik Pandya has matured both as a bowler as well as a batsman, especially in the limited overs format. Pandya can turn out to be a great threat to the opposition with his hard-hitting skills. Besides, he can also chip in with some deceiving slower ones that can turn out be quite unplayable for batsmen. Hence, Pandya is expected to find a place in the starting XI for Asia Cup.

Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal

The spin duo, KulCha, has been the central figure of the Indian spin department for past few months. Kuldeep and Chahal have been complementing each other quite well. Wrist spinners have been an essential part of the limited overs setup as they provide durability and add quality to the bowling line-up.

Moreover, the subcontinent conditions might give an edge to the spin-duo as they tend to relish the opportunity of bowling in dry and slow pitches which have been the nature of UAE tracks. Thus, Kuldeep and Chahal are here to stay in the starting XI for Asia Cup.

Pacers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, the fast bowling specialists, have the been the back of the Indian bowling line-up for quite a time now. Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah have arisen as India's best pacers across all the formats thus there remain a little doubt that they will fill find a place in the starting XI for Asia Cup.

With a skill to swing the white cherry in either of the direction and a fair amount of pace on his side, Umesh exhibits the ability to disturb any opposition. Besides, his swift and vigorous action accommodates him to generate extra bounce and cumbersome seam movement which makes him unplayable at times. Thus, to compliment Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar in the bowling department, Umesh Yadav is expected to make the cut in the starting XI for Asia Cup.

Reserves: KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Axar Patel

The resources, all of who deserve to be in the starting XI, will be pivotal for the team in the long Asia Cup where the gravity of the squad will be precariously tested.

Besides the full-fledged starting XI, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Axar Patel are expected to be included in the 15-member squad as well.

KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant's inclusion in the 15-member squad might assist the team management with a lot of options in the middle-order in the long Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, Axar Patel is also expected to find a place in the squad. Axar's addition can provide the Indian team with an option in the all-rounder's department. Moreover, he could come in handy under subcontinent conditions if Hardik fails to deliver for the Indian team.

Full Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Ambati Rayadu, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, and Umesh Yadav.