Asia Cup 2018: Four Players Who Can Deliver in Virat Kohli's Absence

The upcoming Asia Cup 2018 is not only the test for Team India to win the trophy, but it is also the best stage to check that how dependent they are on skipper Virat Kohli. The numbers say that most of the times, India’s success is directly proportional to Kohli’s performance in the game. However, he will be in the absentee list this time as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave a much-needed rest for him.

Meanwhile, who is going to take the onus of Kohli’s work? Here, we figured out four players who can be the hero for India during the unavailability of Kohli.

Four players who can deliver in the absence of Virat Kohli:

4. Kedar Jadhav:

Surprised? Yes, Kedar Jadhav has got all the ingredients in him to become India’s winning card for the Men in Blue in the Asia Cup 2018. He has got the nerves in him to deliver the goods for the team when it matters the most.

Jadhav is donning the Indian jersey after a lengthy lay-off due to injury. But he is quite capable of making a mark of his own. The Maharashtra cricketer’s free-flowing strokes in the middle-overs will be a healthy thing for Team India.

In addition to his batting, Kedar Jadhav also can roll his arm. India used his unorthodox bowling on various occasions and probably, he will be asked to bowl again this time in Asia Cup as well.

3. Ambati Rayudu:

Who would have expected Ambati Rayudu would take the Indian Premier League (IPL) by a storm? Ever since he was asked to open the innings for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he showed a new personality of him to the world.

Rayudu was subsequently asked to represent India in English tour but failed to pass the Yo-Yo test. Just like IPL, Rayudu can surprise one and all in the upcoming Asia Cup 2018 as well.

His incredible ability to knock the boundaries and the solid defence will undoubtedly put him in the top contenders’ list to take the role of Kohli in the team. It would be interesting to see how Rayudu approach in the tournament.

2. Manish Pandey:

Another in-form lad in the team is Manish Pandey. The talented Pandey has got all the potential in the world to take many by utter surprise. His recent performances in the Quadrangular Series will keep him as the centre of attraction.

He was unbeaten throughout the tournament and made the selectors to find a place for him.

Consequently, Rohit Sharma will also find a place for Pandey in the playing XI and the rest depends on the individual.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batsman was always termed unlucky for not getting enough overs to exhibit himself. This time with Kohli not being around, Pandey has got the best chance to show his worth for his nation.

1. KL Rahul:

The most like-to-like player of Kohli will be KL Rahul. His ominous form with the bat will certainly grab all the attention of Indian fans. Of late, Rahul is in top-notch form as far as white-ball format is concerned.

Most probably, Rahul will be asked to bat for India at number three position in Asia Cup 2018. The classy batsman has got the big boots to fill and hand a fruitful result for India during the tournament.

If everything goes well for the Karnataka batsman, one can see him coming with all the awards in his kitty such has been his impact of late in the white-ball format.

However, it would be intriguing to watch how Rahul will deliver in the Asia Cup 2018 among the named four players who could deliver big in the absence of Virat Kohli.