Asia Cup: India aim to continue winning run

India top the pool table with six points after winning all their three matches so far — against hosts Bangladesh, arch-rivals Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The men in blue have assured themselves a place in Sunday's final after the five-wicket win over the Lankans on Tuesday and even an unlikely defeat against the UAE will not hamper them.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni may decide to make a few changes in the line-up in order to give match practice to some of the players who have not featured in the tournament till now.

“We’ll definitely make a few changes in the coming games. How many we can, that's something we will have to see. Because we still want the strength and the composition of the side to be very good,” Dhoni told reporters here. “I think most of the players will definitely get a chance in the next game. Whether all the people who are sitting outside will get a chance, we're not sure. But we will try to make as many changes as possible,” he added.

The Indian team management may consider including the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, Pawan Negi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the line-up for the UAE game.

Among the four, Rahane is the one who has the best chance to be selected. The right-hander has been in good form in recent months and may be included in place of the off-colour Shikhar Dhawan. The Indian think tank may also decide to rest veteran pacer Ashish Nehra in order to keep him fresh for the final.