India has been a dominant force in the Asia Cup 2025, remaining undefeated and securing their spot in the final against Pakistan. However, a closer look reveals a potential Achilles' heel: an over-reliance on their in-form opener, Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma has been the standout performer for India, leading the run charts with a remarkable 309 runs in six innings, boasting a phenomenal strike rate of 204.64. His aggressive approach at the top of the order has provided India with explosive starts, exemplified by his impressive scores against Pakistan (31 off 13) and Bangladesh (75 off 37). Sharma has consistently taken the attack to the opposition, smashing 31 fours and 19 sixes, the most in the tournament.
However, this dependence on Abhishek Sharma has exposed a glaring weakness in India's middle order. According to former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad, "If Pakistan get Abhishek Sharma out early, then the rest of their batting line up isn't in great form and Pakistan can get on top". This sentiment is echoed by other analysts, who point out that when Sharma gets dismissed, the Indian batting order tends to crumble. Against Bangladesh, India looked set for a massive total when Sharma was at the crease, but their scoring rate plummeted after his departure, eventually finishing with a below-par 168.
The middle order, consisting of players like Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya, has struggled to provide consistent contributions. Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, has only managed 59 runs in 5 matches. In the match against Bangladesh, Shivam Dube, Suryakumar, and Tilak Varma all failed to reach double digits. The constant tinkering with the batting order has also created instability and confusion, with players like Sanju Samson being pushed down the order despite their potential.
India's over-reliance on Abhishek Sharma is a dangerous strategy, especially in high-pressure knockout matches. If Pakistan can find a way to dismiss him early, they could expose the fragility of India's middle order and gain a significant advantage.
Adding to India's woes is their lackluster fielding performance. They have dropped a staggering 12 catches throughout the tournament, with a fielding efficiency rate of just 67.5%, the second-lowest among all participating nations. These dropped catches have often released pressure on the opposition and could prove costly in the final.
Despite these weaknesses, India remains a formidable team. Their bowling attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav, has been impressive, and they have consistently found ways to win. However, to ensure victory in the final, India needs to address their over-dependence on Abhishek Sharma, improve their fielding standards, and provide more stability to their middle order.
