“I believe Kuldeep is currently at his best. He performed incredibly well in the IPL, but due to India’s strength and the weather, he was unable to join the team for the Test matches in England. But, together with Varun and Axar Patel, he will be an essential part of the Asia Cup and moving forward, Shastri told the Times of India.
Since India is the top-ranked team in the world, it goes without saying that they will be the clear favourites going into the 2025 Asia Cup, which begins on Tuesday, September 9. The Men in Blue have an unquestionably strong batting lineup, but their ridiculous bowling lineup—which includes Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav—is what will make them an invincible force in the 2018 Asia Cup.
While Bumrah would initially be considered the team’s main weapon in the multi-nation event, former India head coach Ravi Shastri thinks Kuldeep, who is currently at his “peak,” will be crucial to the team’s success.
Both Kuldeep and Varun were used by India to choke opposition batters with spin in the middle overs during the 2025 Champions Trophy, which they won. Shastri was certain that the Men in Blue should use the same strategies at the Asia Cup.
“I would love to have two wrist-spinners of that calibre by my side,” Shastri remarked.
In the past year or so, this Indian T20 team has been full of big-hitters, but Shubman Gill, who last played a T20I for the nation in July 2024, will make a comeback in the 2025 Asia Cup. Gill will undoubtedly be a “pillar” for the squad in all formats, according to Shastri, but the India Test captain will need to adapt in order to succeed in Dubai’s slow conditions.
“Every shot in the book belongs to Gill. He receives high scores. Just look at his recent IPL performance. He will also be feeling really good, especially following a tour of England. However, even the best shooters will need to adapt since the pitches in Dubai can be slower, Shastri stated.
“That being said, for the next ten years, Gill will be a rock for Indian teams in all formats.”
This current Indian team is the team to beat, according to the former head coach of India, both in the Asia Cup and in the T20 format.
“Some of the players’ confidence and shot-making skills are incredible given how much IPL cricket is played. These men can be true entertainers if given the right circumstances because they are youthful and exuberant. He stated, “It is obvious that they are the team to beat.”
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