In the final of the Asia Cup 2025, India were chasing the moderate total of 147 runs against Pakistan, but lost 3 prime batters’ wickets in the first four overs. Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shubman Gill were out very cheaply when the score was 20 runs. It looked like the game was slipping from India’s reach when, after 10 overs, they were 58 for three, and in the next 10 overs, they needed 90 runs. India had already beaten Pakistan twice before the final at various stages of the tournament. The tournament has been marred by controversy in previous India Pakistan encounters. The entire Indian supporters were tensed, and praying for miracles for India’s win.
In the game of cards, when you have a queen, a king and an ace, your chances of getting more hands increase compared to the opposition. When things were becoming difficult at the stage of 20/3, the Indian team delivered the new ace, named Tilak Varma, who stood firm till the end, and delivered a successful chase. In the same match, players like Samson and Dube, who provided the required support to Tilak at the other end, were like a king in the game of cards.
Earlier, before the final of the Asia Cup, India’s fast-bowling all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, got injured, and India were forced to make a change. India brought Rinku Singh, who hit the winning runs. India was without their opening fast bowler, and Shivam Dube delivered as an opening bowler by doing a decent job, giving just 23 runs in his three-over.
The entire Asia Cup demonstrated that Team India has very strong flex muscles to dominate the T20 game. On every occasion, a different player has stepped up and emerged as an ace for the team. Even in the dead rubber match against Sri Lanka, Ashradeep, who was benched for the entire tournament, delivered a fantastic super over, allowing the Sri Lankan batsmen to score only two runs. The Indian batters made the required three runs in just one delivery.
Throughout the tournament, players such as Dube, Surya, Abhishek, Gill, Varun, and Kuldeep have delivered at different times, helping India come back in the game and secure a win. It is a rare instance when your premier fast bowler, Bumrah, goes for runs. Dube chipped in and delivered with his bowling, capturing three important wickets against Pakistan in the Super Four match.
The above instances demonstrate that in the T20 game, Team India possesses such powerful, flexible muscles that enable them to emerge as a dominant side in all situations and under varying conditions. This differs from the ‘horses for courses’ approach. The team has such depth in bowling and batting that finishers like Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma have to sit out of the playing eleven. While a player like Ashradeep, who can walk into any team as the first-choice player in the playing eleven, is a reserve player out due to the selection of all-rounders who provide extra batting depth up to number eight.
With the current team combination, along with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajat Patidar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Prasiddh Krishna, and Aakash Deep waiting in the wings to be a part of the team, India is likely to dominate the next few years in T20 internationals. The first milestone to be achieved will be the men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in early 2026. The T20 trophy will stamp the authority of sheer dominance in the game in the days to come.