Having won the two most recent editions of the Asia Cup, India will be looking to add another crown to their tally when they begin their campaign against Pakistan on August 28.

With seven title wins, India have been the most successful team at the Asia Cup. In 2018, they defeated Bangladesh in the final at the Dubai International Stadium. Rohit Sharma, India’s captain in that tournament, has since assumed full-time captaincy duties. India are also the only side to have won the Asia Cup when conducted in the T20 format, having done so in 2016 in Bangladesh.

India have been hit by a couple of injuries, with Harshal Patel and Jasprit Bumrah being ruled out. However, the resurgence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, coupled with the emergence of Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan, should hold them in good stead.

India are spoilt for choices in the batting department. At the top, Rohit has been scoring at a rate quicker than usual. KL Rahul has been ravaged by injuries and Virat Kohli by poor form, but both have the quality to rise to the occasion at the Asia Cup. Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav add firepower to the batting unit. In other words, India seem to have most bases covered.

The defending champions begin their campaign against Pakistan in Dubai on August 28. They then play the winner of the Asia Cup Qualifiers tournament on August 31. India had got the better of Pakistan on both occasions in the 2018 edition, but were defeated by their neighbours when the two sides clashed at the 2021 T20 World Cup.

That said, India still start the Asia Cup as favourites, and if they play to their potential, they could add another title to their kitty.

India Asia Cup 2022 schedule

(All timings are in local time; matches will begin at 2pm GMT)

August 28, India vs Pakistan, Dubai International Stadium, 6 pm

August 31, India vs winner of Asia Cup Qualifiers tournament, 6 pm

India in Asia Cup 2022: Key players

Rohit Sharma

Rohit will play a pivotal role for India at the Asia Cup. India have undergone a transition under his stewardship, with more emphasis on attacking throughout their batting innings, and will hope that continues in high-pressure matches as well. In that pursuit, Rohit’s belligerent starts at the top of the order could be crucial.

Hardik Pandya

Despite India’s embarrassment of riches in both batting and bowling, no one provides as much balance and value to this side than Pandya. In the recent past, he has bowled brilliantly, while being superb with the bat as well. With Pandya in top form, India have the option of tweaking their team combination based on the opposition and the conditions – a luxury they did not have at the T20 World Cup last year and suffered. This time, things could turn out differently.

Asia Cup 2022: India squad and team news

India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc & wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan