5 Indian players who need to make an impact at the Asia Cup

The Asia Cup got underway in Dubai on Saturday with Bangladesh routing Sri Lanka in the first game. India's first match is against Hong Kong on Tuesday. The current champions later take on arch-rivals Pakistan on Wednesday. The match between the two subcontinental giants promises to be a cracker of a contest, with both teams equally matched.

The Asia Cup is virtually a try-out for some Indian fringe players who can impress and book their berths in the team for the World Cup in 2019. If they can show that they can compete against the best teams in Asia, then surely the selectors will show no hesitation in picking them for the World Cup.

Listed below are some players who need to make an impact for India at the Asia Cup and put the selectors' minds at rest.

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#1 Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan had a disastrous tour of England and he will need to score some runs in the Asia Cup if he is to be taken seriously and picked as an opener for the World Cup in 2019. Domestic stalwart Mayank Agarwal and youngster Prithvi Shaw are knocking the doors and Dhawan could be soon cooling his heels if he has an ordinary Asia Cup.

#2 Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey

There is no doubt that Manish Pandey has immense potential. However, that potential has not really converted to performance. Apart from the hundred he got against Australia in Sydney, Pandey has had a tough time. He needs to repay the faith shown by the selectors and the Asia Cup provides him with a perfect opportunity. We all know how volatile he can be lower down the order and it is time that he expresses himself freely again.

#3 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu missed the flight to England after failing the yo-yo test but he cleared it quickly and is back in the reckoning again. He is an excellent striker of the ball and is in pretty good touch too. Rayudu should provide the answer to India's problems in the middle order. He can rotate the strike well and though diminutive in size, can hit the ball a long way.

The Hyderabad captain needs to grab this opportunity with both hands and book a place in the World Cup squad.

#4 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik had a forgettable tour of England and will like to get back in touch with some performances in the Asia Cup. He is a fantastic white-ball cricketer as he showed in the Nidahas Trophy final against Bangladesh.

He can bat low down the order and go with all guns blazing when needed. Karthik can also provide sanity and solidity to the batting order when needed. He will not be on wicketkeeping duty, though, with veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni set to don the role.

#5 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni

There is no denying that MS Dhoni is one of the best one-day cricketers India has ever produced. He is the best finisher in world cricket and is also the best one-day wicketkeeper going around. Dhoni is street-smart and is extremely quick on his feet.

However, some dissenting voices in the media and within cricketing circles argue that his powers are on the wane now and that his magic has diminished. He can no longer be seen to hit the ball as powerfully and cleanly as he used to do earlier.

If fit and willing, Dhoni will be India's wicketkeeper at the 2019 World Cup but the Asia Cup gives him the chance to shut those voices for once and for all.