India might have lost the recently concluded ODI tri-series to Pakistan but former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga says Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men are the favourites to lift the Asia Cup later this month.

"India has a lot of young talented players including its one-day captain M S Dhoni," Ranatunga, Chairman of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board said on the sidelines of a press meet organised by the Sri Lanka Airlines.

Praising the Indian skipper, Ranatunga, the 1996 World Cup winning captain, said, "Dhoni has crossed my imagination, he has done extremely well," he said.

"The forthcoming Asia Cup would be a tough tournament as all the three main contestants India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are well poised," the 1996 World Cup winning captain said.

Ranatunga, who was also a former deputy minister in the Sri Lankan government, recollecting his earlier cricketing days, said, "playing India was the toughest job and going back home without losing was the biggest achievement for us."

On the Twenty20 format of the game, Ranatunga said, "Personally I do not like the smaller version of the game, it is always good to see the skill of the ball and the bat in a Test match or in one-day games.