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Will India's 7-Month Long Hiatus From T20Is Affect Their Asia Cup 2025 Campaign?

Jatin

India will play UAE in their Asia Cup 2025 opener [Source: @BCCI/x.com]India will play UAE in their Asia Cup 2025 opener [Source: @BCCI/x.com]

The countdown is over. Asia Cup 2025 begins today in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with eight teams gunning for continental supremacy.

India, the most successful side in the tournament’s history with eight titles, will walk in as favourites once again. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Men in Blue look stacked on paper with world-class batters, quality spinners and pace firepower.

But here is the catch. This T20I unit hasn’t played together for more than seven months. And in a format where rhythm and momentum matter as much as skill, that could turn into a banana peel moment.

India’s Asia Cup Squad At A Glance

Suryakumar Yadav is the captain with Shubman Gill as his deputy. The batting lineup includes Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and the reliable middle-order options of Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel. Behind the stumps, Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson are the two wicketkeepers.

The bowling unit looks lethal with Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana ready to share the load. On paper, it’s a squad that ticks every box.

The Elephant In The Room

India last played a T20I back in February against England at home, winning the series 4-1. Abhishek Sharma topped the run charts and Varun Chakaravarthy bagged the most wickets. Since then, it has been all about ODIs, Tests and the IPL. 

First came the Champions Trophy win in Dubai, then two months of IPL madness and later a gripping five-Test series against England. Now, after seven months, the Indian team has been asked to switch gears back into T20I mode. That is easier said than done.

Match Practice Matters

While India were busy juggling formats, their rivals were sharpening their T20I game. Pakistan, Afghanistan and UAE recently clashed in a tri-nation series. Bangladesh took on Sri Lanka and Pakistan in back-to-back T20I contests.

These teams have spent time together, tested their combinations and fine-tuned strategies. On the other hand, India will be walking cold into the Asia Cup, opening their campaign against UAE on September 10. Cricket is all about rhythm and this gap could be India’s Achilles heel.

Favourites But Vulnerable

There is no denying India’s strength. They are ranked No. 1 in T20Is, have depth in every department and boast players who thrive in pressure matches. But history carries a warning.

The last time the Asia Cup was played in T20I format, India didn’t even make the final. They will be keen to right that wrong but they can’t afford a slow start this time. With Pakistan and Afghanistan in red-hot T20 form, India can’t afford to be caught napping.

Conclusion

The Asia Cup 2025 will be a real test of whether class can outweigh lack of match practice. India have the squad to lift the trophy for a record-extending ninth time. But the long gap in playing together could haunt them if they don’t find rhythm quickly.

For Suryakumar Yadav, this is the moment to prove his captaincy chops and ensure the Men in Blue don’t just walk in with reputation but back it up with performance.