Indian Cricket team kick off their 2018 Asia Cup campaign with a match against minnows Hong Kong in UAE today. The defending champions are without their talismanic in form captain Virat Kohli who has been rested for the series after being the only standout performer in the shambolic test series defeat to England. Defending champions India will lock horns with their traditional rivals Pakistan in their next match but Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed believes Kohli’s absence will not make any difference in the fierce encounter. Asia Cup 2018 Schedule of India Matches for Free PDF Download: Timetable with Fixture & Dates When Indian Will Play Including Pakistan Clash.

While speaking after his team defeated Hong Kong in their campaign opener on September 17, Ahmed said, "No doubt he is their captain and a world-class batsman, but I think they have a good team even without Kohli."

"They have good players who have done well for India. So I don't think it will make much difference to India. Their batting is very strong, so I can say that it will be a good match," said the Pakistani Captain. India vs Hong Kong, Asia Cup 2018: MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma Practice Hard in Nets; Watch Videos.

Earlier, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has said that the defending champions can cope very well without the presence of the Delhi Batsman. He said, "Virat Kohli's absence won't be a factor, they are a better side." India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2018: Virat Kohli's Absence Won't Be a Factor, Feels Former Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly.

The Indian team will be captained by Rohit Sharma in the absence of Virat Kohli and would be looking to put their England debacle behind them to retain the crown in UAE. The Men in Blue are the most successful side in Asia having won the prestigious competition six times while their neighbours Pakistan have won two times. You can catch the live score of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match here. 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2018 01:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).