India vs Bangladesh is always an exciting encounter in the modern era, and the Asia Cup final promises to be one not to be missed as the two sub-continental teams battle it out for the title at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
While India cruised into the final on the back of four wins from four matches, Bangladesh were impressive in three of their four, and with it locking their place in the summit clash as well.
Both teams have played consistent, good cricket, and while India will start as the favourites, Bangladesh will fancy their chances of causing an upset and picking up their first ever Asia Cup title.
Here is a look at the players to watch, the ones who could make a difference in this Asia Cup final.
India: Virat Kohli: The man for the big occasion. Kohli has played a couple of delightful innings in trying conditions already, and when it comes to the crunch situations there is no batsman better in world cricket. If the India openers – Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan – fail to make their mark at the top, expect Kohli to score those vital runs, especially if India end up chasing in this Asia Cup final.
Yuvraj Singh: It has been such a delight to watch Yuvraj play like Yuvraj again. In the last two matches for India, Yuvraj has found his touch, and what better way to end this Asia Cup than with the graceful left-hander tonking those sixes at will into the crowd.
R Ashwin: Hasn't been a spinner's tournament this, considering the amount of grass that has been left on the pitch. However, with the wickets slowing browning – not as much as expected – maybe Ashwin will finally have his say. There is no better bowler to control a T20 innings with the ball than Ashwin, and the Bangladesh batsmen will have to be wary of the offspinner.
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal: While losing Mustafizur Rahman was a big blow, the fact that it allowed Tamim to return from paternity leave slightly offsets that loss. Tamim has played some sparkling innings against India in the past, and he will be Bangladesh's go-to man at the top if the innings, be that batting first or chasing.
Shakib Al Hasan: Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and there is no bigger game, at the moment, for Bangladesh than this Asia Cup final. Shakib is regarded as their best player, capable of winning matches with bat or ball, and the all-rounder will need to be at his absolute best in both departments, if the home team are to stop Dhoni's men.
Al-Amin Hossain: Has the knack of picking up wickets, and forms a really formidable partnership with the new ball with Taskin Ahmed, another bowler who could make the difference. In the absence of Mustafizur, there will be plenty of pressure on Al-Amin Hossain to pick up those India batsmen. He finished with three wickets in the league match against India, but Bangladesh would like the fast bowler to do that while conceding less than 37 runs in four overs this time.
