Asia Cup 2018: Final, India vs Bangladesh, Preview: Men in Blue face the high on confidence Tigers in the title clash

Here we go! A total of 12 matches were played between six teams in the Asia Cup and finally India and Bangladesh have managed to come out on top. It is a completely anti-climatic final though as many were expecting a third encounter between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan. But Bangladesh led by Mashrafe Mortaza have once again punched above their weight and despite two of their most experienced players would be raring to end their losing streak against India in the tournament knockouts.

This is Bangladesh’s third Asia Cup final in the last four editions and it is the repeat of the previous edition’s final once again. In 2016, the tournament was played in the T20 format which India had won and they enter this match as defending champions effectively. The Tigers have always found themselves in the wrong end of the big tournament knockouts against India and would be keen to come up with a stunning performance his time around.

The Asia Cup trophy in their cabinet before ahead of the World Cup will be a massive boost to their preparations and will keep them in good stead in the near future.

Team India, on the other hand, is coming off a thrilling tie against Afghanistan. But they will be playing a full-strength team in the final without any doubt. The regular players should come back and will be fresh after close to four days’ rest ahead of the final. The stage is set for both the teams and this is where heroes emerge.

Team Combination

India

The likes of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan should return to their preferred slots followed by Ambati Rayudu at number three. There is a chance of KL Rahul retaining his place after a brilliant knock ahead of Dinesh Karthik but even the latter endured a decent outing and should continue playing at the position. In the bowling department as well, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah should resume their new ball duties and Kuldeep Yadav will be delighted to have his partner in crime, Yuzvendra Chahal, back.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal

Bangladesh

Expect Bangladesh to play the same XI unless Mushfiqur Rahim is dramatically ruled out of the game as Shakib Al Hasan did. Rahim was in pain on the field in the second innings but the team management would want him to play even if he is half-fit. The rest of the line-up doesn’t look settled but the confidence will be high after a superb victory.

Probable XI: Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Focus will be on

Rohit Sharma (India)

All the limelight will be on the Indian captain Rohit Sharma. He is a big match player and he would like to lead from the front. He has so far amassed 269 runs at an amazing average of 134.50 and would be fresh after resting for close to four days. Yet another big knock is expected from him and Rohit thrives in such matches. Bangladesh will have to break through early to have any chance of winning the match.

Soumya Sarkar (Bangladesh)

Soumya Sarkar himself must not have forgotten what happened when both the teams last met in the final of a tournament. Nidahas Trophy was at stake when Karthik smashed him for a six with five runs needed off the final delivery. He was in the tears after the match and there could be a better occasion to avenge that defeat. Sarkar will have to contribute with both bat and ball in the final and will be looking forward to making it a memorable evening for his team.

Stat Attack

4 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs four wickets to complete 100 scalps in his ODI career. So far he has 96 wickets to his name in 91 ODIs

1 – Mashrafe Mortaza needs only one wicket to become the first Bangladesh player to pick 250 wickets.

Head to Head

Matches – 34 | India Won – 28; Bangladesh Won – 5 | N/R – 1

Broadcast details

TV – Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD 1

Live streaming– Hotstar

Match Timings – 05:00 PM IST, Local Time 03:30 PM

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