The 17th edition of the Asia Cup gets underway on September 9, 2025, in the United Arab Emirates, with India entering as the team to beat in the T20 format. The tournament, which runs until September 28, will be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This year's Asia Cup is especially significant as it is being played in the T20 format, serving as crucial preparation for teams ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.

India, the defending champions, have historically dominated the Asia Cup, winning the title eight times. This year, they are led by Suryakumar Yadav, whose innovative batting and leadership qualities have been lauded by cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri. Gavaskar believes that Suryakumar's leadership provides a blend of tenacity and experience, making him the ideal figure to guide the new-look Indian side. Shastri also highlighted the team's balance of youth and experience, noting the presence of seasoned players like Jasprit Bumrah alongside promising youngsters such as Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma.

The Asia Cup 2025 features eight teams, including the five full members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC): India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. They are joined by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, and Hong Kong, who qualified through the 2024 ACC Men's Premier Cup. The teams are divided into two groups: Group A consists of India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, followed by the final.

Despite India's apparent strength, they face a unique challenge in this tournament. Former England spinner Monty Panesar suggests that Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy might be on the line. According to Panesar, if Suryakumar fails to perform well or win the Asia Cup, selectors may consider Shubman Gill for the captaincy. Gill, already the Test captain and vice-captain in the white-ball format, is seen as a potential leader across all three formats. Suryakumar has an impressive record as captain in the T20 format, with 18 wins in 22 games, but the pressure to deliver in a major tournament like the Asia Cup remains.

Adding to the complexity, the geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan have cast a shadow over the tournament. Although the event was moved to the UAE due to these tensions, the rivalry between the two nations remains a focal point. The potential for India and Pakistan to meet up to three times during the tournament – in the group stage, the Super Four stage, and the final – adds extra significance to their encounters.

Other teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan see the Asia Cup as vital preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, associate nations such as the UAE, Oman and Hong Kong aim to leverage this opportunity to demonstrate their progress on a prominent international stage.