KL snub to Abhishek's addition: Changes from Asia Cup 2022 that made India invincible in 2025

KL Rahul and Abhishek Sharma [Source: AFP]

Team India has been a ruthless force to reckon with across departments in the current Asia Cup edition. Besides swatting aside Oman and the UAE, India edged past their arch-rivals Pakistan on two consecutive occasions, asserting their dominance in the competition. 

India's contrasting performances in consecutive T20 Asia Cup editions

The last time Asia Cup followed the T20 format, India lost two out of five matches, failing to qualify for the final of the tournament. On the contrary, the Men in Blue have been much more formidable in the Asia Cup this time, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the competition. 

Just like the previous edition, India have mostly played their Asia Cup matches at Dubai International Stadium this year. This shows that they must've taken some bold calls, which have worked wonders for them in the 2025 edition. 

So, as India continue to dominate the Asia Cup, here are three major strategic changes that changed their fortunes in the tournament. 

Changes that made India more formidable in Asia Cup

Introduction of Abhishek, Gill eliminated timidness at the top

(Comparison of Indian opening pairs in Asia Cup 2022 and 2025)

• India's opening pair of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma disappointed them the most in the 2022 Asia Cup. These two batters could score only 104 runs across four innings at an average of just 26 as an opening pair, meaning India didn't get the ideal start in most of their matches. KL, in particular, struck at an abysmal rate of 122.22, highlighting the timidness by the Indian top-order in the 2022 Asia Cup. 
• On the contrary, India's decision to snub KL Rahul from their T20I plans and bring in more aggressive batters like Abhishek Sharma has worked wonders for them this time. Sharma has formed a solid opening stand with Shubman Gill, with the duo adding 181 runs at a much better average of 45.25 and a strike rate of 175.72 in India's first four matches. 
• Their success as an opening pair has ensured great starts for the Men in Blue while unsettling the opposition right in the powerplay and also making the task easier for the middle order batters. 

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Backing spinners more than pacers

• The change in India's bowling plan has also been one of the biggest reasons why they have dominated the Asia Cup 2025. Spin bowling has been India's greatest strength over the years; and the knack for the Gautam Gambhir-led management to unleash the spinners as India's ace cards has reaped rewards for the Men in Blue. 
• While Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi and Ravichandran Ashwin played marginal roles in the 2022 Asia Cup, the likes of Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav have led India's bowling charts in the current edition, capitalising on Dubai's spin-friendly surface to perfection. 
• Statistically, Indian spinners bowled only 40.20% of the total overs in the previous Asia Cup, which has now been increased to 48.06% in the first four matches of the 2025 edition. While Kuldeep Yadav alone has bagged nine wickets, the likes of Chakravarthy and Axar have been excellent with their line and length. India's decision to use their spinners more has brought the desired results so far, as evidenced by an improved overall bowling average, strike rate and economy compared to the previous edition. 

(Stats reflect better overall performance by Indian bowling unit in 2025 Asia Cup)

Multi-dimensional players in the mix

• India heavily relied on Hardik Pandya as their solitary all-rounder in the 2022 Asia Cup. While Axar Patel played the dead-rubber against Afghanistan, Ravindra Jadeja and Deepak Hooda got two games each. This suggests that the Indian management back then prioritised specialists over all-rounders. 
• However, the decision to include a number of multi-dimensional players in the playing XI has certainly brought more positive results for India in the 2025 Asia Cup. While specialists like Arshdeep Singh have warmed the bench, India's plan to play all three of Pandya, Axar and Dube has ensured flexibility in batting and bowling. 
• With Dube coming at number eight, India have ensured batting depth, allowing the top-order batters to express themselves and play shots without thinking much. Additionally, it has increased their number of bowling options, with Shivam Dube chipping in with impactful spells (5 wickets at an economy of 7.56) amid Bumrah's poor form. 

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