As the Asia Cup 2025 heats up, India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is making it clear that his team isn't looking to fix what isn't broken. With a confident and lighthearted approach, he addressed questions about team selection and strategy ahead of their opening match against the UAE and the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan.
At a pre-tournament press conference in Dubai, Suryakumar was the center of attention, fielding questions about India's chances and approach. When asked about the pressure of leading in a multi-nation tournament versus a bilateral series, he responded with a witty remark: "Till now everything is going alright, sir, toh kyun bina matlab ka ungli karna hai? (Why unnecessarily muddle?)". He emphasized that the team would stick to the processes that have brought them success in previous bilateral series. "If some things are working, that means we are moving in the right direction," he added.
Suryakumar also downplayed the "favorites" tag placed on India. "Who told you this? I did not hear this," he said, adding, "Yes, we are playing T20 cricket as a team after quite some time, but we were here early". He stressed the importance of good preparation and acknowledged that T20 is a fast-paced game where anyone can win.
The India-Pakistan match on September 14 is expected to be a high-voltage contest. Suryakumar emphasized the importance of aggression in such games. "Aggression is always there on the field, and without aggression, I don't think you can play this sport, and I am sure I am very excited to take the field," he stated. Pakistan's captain, Salman Ali Agha, echoed this sentiment, saying, "If someone wants to be aggressive that is his call... The fast bowlers are always aggressive, you can't stop them. From my side, there are no instructions, as long as it stays on the ground".
Suryakumar also addressed the question about Sanju Samson's inclusion in the playing XI. "We are actually taking good care of Sanju, don't worry, we will make the right decision tomorrow," the Indian captain said. He also lauded Jitesh Sharma's performance and growth as a player.
India's Asia Cup squad includes experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, as well as promising youngsters like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. The team is aiming for a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title. India is in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Their schedule includes matches against UAE on September 10, Pakistan on September 14, and Oman on September 19.
While Suryakumar exuded confidence, former India batter Mohammad Kaif cautioned that India might face challenges due to the absence of a third all-rounder. Kaif highlighted the importance of having multiple all-rounders, recalling India's T20 World Cup victory where Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja provided crucial balance. With Jadeja's retirement from T20Is, India's resources in that department have thinned.
Despite these concerns, Suryakumar Yadav's leadership and positive attitude are expected to play a key role in India's Asia Cup campaign. His emphasis on sticking to a winning formula and encouraging aggression on the field reflects a clear vision for the team. As India embarks on its Asia Cup journey, all eyes will be on Suryakumar and his team as they aim to continue their dominance in continental cricket.
