Former India assistant -Coach Abhishek Nayar has supported the men in blue as strong favorites to win the Asia Cup 2025. Nayar stated that India performed well in their opening match against the VAE and added that a more difficult challenge could have prepared them better before the match against Pakistan.
India won a nine Wicket victory on the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on 10 September. While India was the strong favorite, the VAE offered little resistance for the inevitable surrender. The men in Blue will then be confronted in their second group A match at the same location on Sunday 14 September.
This tournament is that they lose – Abhishek Nayar
During a discussion about Sony Sports, Abhishek Nayar India described as more than just contenders. He stated that if India doesn’t win the tournament, there is something that went wrong.
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“I will not call them contenders; they come after they have become champions. The kind of team they have and the way they play in this format is for them to lose. If they don’t win this tournament, there is something that went wrong,” he replied.
Squad power that we have and the way our spinners threw – Abhishek Nayar
The former teammate of Gautam Gambhir stated that the performance of the Indian spinners in the previous game makes them tough favorites. He emphasized that when the team bows well, winning the championship becomes much easier.
“The team of strength that we have and the way our spinners threw in the last match, I will always believe that if you bow well, winning the championship will be easy. So it is the tournament to lose India,” added the former India coach.
The Indian spinners delivered an excellent performance in the opening match. They limited the home team to a total of only 57 runs in 13.1 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took 4 wickets for only 7 runs in 2.1 overs, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel each took one wicket.
India pursued the target in just 4.3 overs. Abhishek Sharma scored 30 points of 16 balls, while Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 20 points. They added a 48-run opening partnership in just 3.5 overs. The men in blue are at the top of the A table with two points and a net running speed of +10.483.
Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir had the thought … – Abhishek Nayar
The former cricket player stated that India would be better prepared if their opening match against the VAE had been more challenging. Nayar said Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir concentrated on quickly finishing the game instead of testing the team.
“So, as a precursor, you would like to understand the circumstances? But Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir had the thinking process to play and complete the game so early. So a bit too easy. A bit of challenge would have been good because I always believe that preparation is only when it is difficult,” Nayar.
Team India wanted to strengthen their starting depth by taking only three specialized bowlers. Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube were picked as all -rounders. Shivam Dube made a significant impact with the ball and took 3 wickets for just 4 points in two overs.
Also read: India vs Pakistan match blocked at the last minute in Asia Cup Turbulence
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