Published on 02:20 PM, March 06, 2016

CORE BATTLES

Sabbir Rahman v Virat Kohli

Kohli is a proven modern batting maestro, a level that the impressive Sabbir still has a long way to go to achieve. Both batsmen however enter the game at the crucial number three position and both are in such form (it has become a perpetual state for the Indian) that their contribution or lack of it proves vital to the team's fortunes. Sabbir, who is part of the Bangladesh crop of youngsters who have enjoyed more T20 success than their seniors, averages 55.8 -- more than 25 average points higher than his career number -- in the nine T20 wins he has played in. Kohli averages even higher, 64.46 as opposed to his excellent career average of 51.03, in Indian wins. While Sabbir has shown a greater propensity to hit over the infield, both focus on playing proper cricketing shots and both have played defining innings in this Asia Cup.