Suryakumar Yadav Discusses India's Chances in Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of the Indian T20I team, addressed questions regarding India's status as favorites for the Asia Cup title in the upcoming tournament. As the reigning champions, India secured the prestigious Asian title in the 50-over format earlier this year.
In Group A, India will compete against the UAE, their long-time rivals Pakistan, and Oman. Their title defense will kick off against the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10. A highly anticipated match against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14, promising an electrifying encounter.
With a robust squad and impressive performances in recent T20I matches, India is widely regarded as the team to beat in this eight-nation tournament.
Are India the Favorites for Asia Cup 2025?
Before the tournament opener featuring Afghanistan and Hong Kong, captains from all participating teams gathered for a press conference to discuss their squads and expectations for Asia Cup 2025.
When asked about India's perceived status as 'favorites by a distance,' Suryakumar humorously sidestepped the question, focusing instead on the team's confidence and preparation. He remarked, 'Kisne bola? Mene toh nahi suna. (Who said? I didn't hear it). If your preparations are solid, you will feel confident on the field.'
He added, 'Yes, we are playing after quite a while, but we were here 3-4 days back. We had a good time as a team together. Really looking forward to this tournament.'
India's Dominance in Asia Cup History
India holds the record for the most Asia Cup titles, having won eight championships across both ODI and T20I formats, underscoring their dominance in the region's cricketing landscape.
Pakistan's Perspective on Favorites
In response to the notion of India being favorites, Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha expressed that in T20 cricket, no team can be considered a favorite due to the unpredictable nature of the game. He stated, 'In T20 cricket, I don't think anyone is a favorite. On any given day, you must play well. It's a fast-paced game, and a couple of overs can change everything.'
The upcoming match between India and Pakistan marks their first encounter in a multi-nation tournament since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Their last clash was during the Champions Trophy earlier this year, where India triumphed over Pakistan by four wickets at the Dubai International Stadium.
Despite previous tensions, the match will proceed as scheduled, following approval from the Indian government. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that participation in multi-nation tournaments involving nations with strained relations has been sanctioned.