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Madan Lal picked Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma as India’s openers for Asia Cup 2025 and highlighted spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel for hot conditions in Dubai.
Sanju Samson (PTI)
Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal shared his thoughts on the Indian cricket teams’s opening batters for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, scheduled from September 9 to 28 in Dubai.
Three players are in contention to open the innings: vice-captain Shubman Gill, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, and left-hand batter Abhishek Sharma. Gill’s inclusion in the squad has raised questions about who will open alongside Abhishek in the tournament. Samson is also in the squad, with possibilities that Gill might open with Abhishek, and Samson batting in the middle order.
“I’m satisfied because it should have been done. Abhishek Sharma’s strike rate is more than 225, and Shubman Gill’s strike rate is more than 150. Opening is very important in T20Is. In the first six overs, the openers set the game. Then, after that, you have to ensure that your average is around 7, 8, or 9 and continue until the 14th or 16th over. In the last three to four overs, you have a big hitter like Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel,”Madan Lal was quoted as saying to ANI.
Spin To Win In Asai Cup?
The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in Dubai, where the hot weather will benefit spinners. India has experienced spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel in the main squad, with Washington Sundar in the reserves. Speaking on the spinners’ advantage, Lal said, “It’s very hot here. Spinner’s role will always be more crucial here. It’s very hot, but the thing is to get the breakthrough early on, and then the spinner comes in. We have the best spinner in the world. If we get a breakthrough in the beginning, then the spinners can be very lethal, and they can do a wonderful job. Spinners will play a big role. Afghanistan has four spinners and Pakistan has three. Most of the countries depend on the spinners.”
India will start their campaign against the UAE on September 10, with a high-voltage match against Pakistan on September 14, both in Dubai. Their final group stage fixture against Oman is on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. After the group stage, the tournament will move to the Super 4, where the top two teams from each group will qualify. If India tops Group A, all their Super 4 matches will be in Dubai. If they finish second, one of their Super 4 matches will be in Abu Dhabi and the rest in Dubai. The Super 4 stage will run from September 20 to 26, with the final in Dubai on September 28.
(With inputs from ANI)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
September 06, 2025, 18:52 IST
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