In order to test their combinations and get ready for the T20 World Cup next year, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag thinks the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 will be the perfect platform.
Sehwag stated that the Asia Cup will serve as a trial for the management to find players who can make a claim for the ICC event, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the team for the continental tournament.
“I think in the T20 format, this Asia Cup can serve as a great preparation for our 2026 T20 World Cup. It’s an opportunity to see which new players should be given chances and who can be included in the squad. You can start building a team for the World Cup,” Sehwag said on Sony Sports Network.
“In my opinion, there is no better opportunity for the Indian team to check its strength than the Asia Cup,” he added.
India, after winning the T20 World Cup in 2024, will be hoping to create a side to defend their championship as well.
India’s Twenty20 International team, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, has demonstrated remarkable consistency since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach. They have defeated South Africa, Bangladesh, England, and Sri Lanka in four straight series. India will attempt to use the Asia Cup as an additional stepping stone to hone their balance before the international event, with momentum firmly on their side.
India had a dismal campaign and lost to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Four stage of the 2022 Asia Cup, the last time it was played in the T20 format. The present team is committed to preventing a recurrence of the setback, which serves as a reminder of the format’s difficulties.
Additionally, vice-captain Shubman Gill, who is making his T20I comeback after more than a year, will find relevance in the competition. The 25-year-old, who is widely considered to be India’s future all-format star, will have to balance stabilizing the batting unit with developing into his leadership role. His performance could be crucial to India’s World Cup preparations.
India’s Asia Cup campaign kicks off on September 10 at Dubai International Stadium against the United Arab Emirates. They will also play in the group stages against rivals Pakistan and Oman.
