India vs Bangladesh in yet another Asia Cup final; however, the match will not be played in Dhaka this time, but in Dubai. The last time they met in the Asia Cup final, in 2016, India had beaten Bangladesh comprehensively, by eight wickets. Given the form that Indian team is at the moment, the victory at Asia Cup 2018 final seems imminent! India vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2018 Final Match Preview: Rohit Sharma-led Indian Team Need to Be Cautious Against In-Form Bangladesh.

India rested five key players in their tie against Afghanistan. Perhaps, that became the reason for their downfall. However, come Friday, it will be a different scenario altogether. India cannot afford any slip-up in their otherwise steady Asia Cup 2018 campaign. India vs Bangladesh Head-to-Head Record in Asia Cup: Wins, Losses, and Other Statistics Ahead of Asia Cup 2018 Final.

Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will return as openers in the side and so will the duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. India would be relying heavily on the opening pairs, be it bowling or batting, to deliver upfront and help gain an advantage in the match, early on. India vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2018 Final: All-Rounder Shakib Al Hasan Returns Home As Injury Aggravates!

The middle order certainties are Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, and MS Dhoni. Dinesh Karthik has had a decent run in the multi-nation tournament, and KL Rahul scored a half-century in the only chance that he got; however, then he had open the innings. The Indian think-tank management might be tempted to play KL Rahul over Dinesh Karthik, instead. A toss is on the cards here! 

Ravindra Jadeja will fill the spot of the all-rounder in the team, and the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are automatic choices. Will India be tempted to play a third seamer in Khaleel Ahmed in place of Kuldeep Yadav?

India’s Likely XI for Asia Cup 2018: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, KL Rahul, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah

Despite having their ups and downs in the tournament, Bangladesh would pose a strong challenge to the Indian team. Keeping in mind, how the Indian middle-order fared against Afghanistan in their last Super Four round match, it is likely to happen all over again. Asia Cup 2018 Diaries: Rohit Sharma Hangs Out With Indian, Pakistani & Sri Lankan Fans Ahead of the Finals With Bangladesh.

The Asia Cup 2018 final was tipped off to be between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. But Bangladesh proved to be a little too strong for Pakistan as they went past them with much ease in the virtual semi-final. Asia Cup 2018 Leading Run-Scorers: Mushfiqur Rahim Second on the List of Batsmen With Most Runs in Asian Cricket Tournament.

As India and Bangladesh lock horns on Friday, the match will be quite an exciting contest, keeping in mind their recent performances. Will India be an eight-time champion or will Bangladesh spring a surprise? Stay tuned for all the latest updates about Asia Cup 2018!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2018 03:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).