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Asia Cup 2025 will be the first time that Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in a multi-nation tournament.
Suryakumar Yadav is yet to lose a series as India T20I captain. (PTI Photo)
India will start their title defense at the Asia Cup 2025 when they face UAE on September 10 in Dubai. The Suryakumar Yadav-led Team India will be the favourites to retain the trophy they won in 2023 when the tournament was played on one-day format.
This time around the continental event will be played in T20I format with India naming a strong 15-man squad earlier this week. Batting legend Virender Sehwag has thrown his weight behind the team while admitting that it’s not going to be a cakewalk.
“Asia Cup has always brought out the best in Indian cricket. The team today has the skill, balance, and mindset to handle any challenge,” Sehwag said in a Sony Sports Network release.
“Playing in Dubai will be high-pressure, but that’s exactly the kind of stage where our players shine. I am confident India will once again make the nation proud by lifting the trophy,” he added.
Sehwag, who scored over 17000 runs in international cricket, has full faith in Surya’s captaincy citing his attacking mindset as key to the team winning a record-extending 9th Asia Cup title.
“This Indian team has the right mix of youth and experience, and under Surya’s fearless leadership, they can dominate Asia once again. His attacking mindset suits the T20 format perfectly, and if the team plays with the same intent, I have no doubt India can lift the trophy,” Sehwag said.
Placed in Group A, India will face Pakistan in Dubai on September 14 before meeting Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The group stage will be followed by Super Four and the top-two teams of this stage will contest the final on September 28.
Sehwag recalled his own experience of playing in the Asia Cup and how he was buzzing to entertain the fans. “One of my fondest memories of the Asia Cup is walking into the dressing room on match days and feeling the buzz even before stepping onto the field. You could hear the chants outside, feel the energy in every corner. I remember telling my teammates ‘today we won’t just play a match, we’ll give the fans a day they’ll never forget’,” he said.
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
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The post‘Playing In Dubai High-Pressure But…’: India Legend’s Big Prediction For SKY-Led Team At Asia Cup | Cricket News appeared first on News18