Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu believes Indian cricket team has the potential to win the Asia Cup 2018 even without regular skipper Virat Kohli.

Speaking to media on Saturday, Rayudu said, “Obviously he (Virat) is a big miss and loss to the team. However, we still have enough quality in the team to go out and win. He (Dhoni) has been India’s captain and always been the go-to man for everybody in the team.”

Rayudu is looking up to former skipper MS Dhoni for inspiration and guidance as a ‘Virat Kohli-less’ India gear up for the Asia Cup which is being held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“He (Dhoni) has helped me a lot in terms of how I recovered this season.” With India yet to settle their middle-order conundrum with less than a year left for the World Cup, there is a chance for players such as Rayudu to cement their places in the team.

“To be very honest, (I) haven’t thought about it (middle-order) or looked at it as a competition. It’s just an opportunity to express myself and (I) don’t want to put more pressure to my game by thinking about these,” Rayudu said.

The 32-year-old, returning to the team after a long injury-induced layoff, added, “I don’t think anybody is actually thinking about the World Cup. We are in for the Asia Cup and I don’t think anybody is thinking about it right now.”

India’s opening match in the tournament is against Hong Kong on September 18, a day before they take on arch-rivals Pakistan.

“I don’t think it will be a disadvantage. It will be definitely tough and I’m sure we will do the best possible things to recover and go out fresh to play the next game.” He said it was frustrating to miss out on the limited-overs leg of the England tour despite a stellar Indian Premier League season for Chennai Super Kings. Rayudu failed to make to the Indian team after flunking the yo-yo test in his first attempt.

“Obviously it was frustrating to miss out on the England tour. But I’m happy that I could come back and give the test and get picked to play in the Asia Cup.

“This year I played well in the IPL. The main thing is that I feel age doesn’t matter as long as you are fit,” quipped Rayudu.

After clearing the yo-yo test in the second attempt, Rayudu played for India A in the Tri-Series involving Australia A and South Africa A where he starred with the bat.

His 62 not out against Australia A in a low-scoring affair in Bangalore earned him Man-of-the-Match award while he cracked 66 against South Africa A at Alur.

-With PTI inputs.