Asia Cup 2025: Irfan Pathan takes a subtle dig at Hardik Pandya ahead of India vs Pakistan match
India kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, securing a commanding nine-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in Dubai. The Men in Blue showcased a clinical performance with both bat and ball, comfortably chasing down the target after bowling UAE out for just 57 runs. However, despite the dominant win, the team’s selection choices sparked debate — particularly the absence of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI. Arshdeep, who holds the record as India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, was surprisingly benched for the opening encounter.
Asia Cup 2025: Irfan Pathan questions Hardik Pandya's bowling credentials ahead of India vs Pakistan game
Widely regarded as one of the most dependable death bowlers in world cricket, his omission raised eyebrows among fans and cricket experts alike. Instead of including him, India opted for a pace attack led solely by Jasprit Bumrah, with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube providing additional seam options. While the spin-friendly conditions in Dubai likely influenced the selection, many believe Arshdeep’s experience and skill, especially under pressure, make him a vital asset—particularly in high-stakes games. With tougher opponents ahead, the decision to leave out such a key bowler could become a major talking point as the tournament progresses.
India’s bowling combination might have worked seamlessly against the United Arab Emirates in their Asia Cup 2025 opener, but questions are already being raised about whether it can stand the test against stronger opponents. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has voiced concerns over the strategy, particularly the absence of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh — India’s top wicket-taker in T20Is.
In the match against UAE, India relied on just one specialist pacer in Jasprit Bumrah, with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube supporting him. While the move paid off against UAE’s inexperienced batting line-up, Pathan feels the same formula may not succeed against top-tier teams like Pakistan or Sri Lanka. He highlighted Hardik Pandya’s brief bowling spell — just one over, in which he conceded 10 runs — as a potential red flag, especially when it comes to closing out tight games. Pathan questioned whether Hardik can consistently deliver under pressure in death-over situations, a role Arshdeep has handled with composure and success in the past.
"Arshdeep is the highest wicket-taker in T20Is. IF he doesn't play, it does raise eyebrows. Understandably, he didn't play in England (Test), but not playing here raises a scenario in my mind that when there will be a knock-out situation, Bumrah will bowl from one end, and definitely he will, cause he is the best bowler we have. However, from the other end, if spinners come in, it's fine because you play with three spinners cause you will try the impact of spin continues till the 15th to 16th over. But if there comes a situation when the ball is tough to grip cause of dew, then it becomes tough.
This is so because, if you play only two pacers, obviously, you will count Shivam Dube, who gives you a fast-bowling option. But in tough times, you will choose Hardik Pandya over Dube. But is Hardik's strength a yorker? Can he bowl six yorkers in an over? His strength is mainly bowling into the pitch, bouncer, and bowling hard length. And if the game is stuck in that situation, what will be the way out? It will be great to see. Obviously, if you are playing on a big ground, you can still use bouncers; however, if we talk about a yorker, then you will miss Arshdeep. We saw him in the T20 World Cup, in IPL, and in other T20Is, showing that he can execute six yorkers in an over to perfection. So he will definitely be missed either today or tomorrow, cause only two fast bowlers will be playing," stated former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan.
In India’s opening game of the Asia Cup 2025 against the United Arab Emirates, the Men in Blue put on a dominant all-round display that completely outclassed their opponents. The bowling attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube, dismantled UAE’s batting order with clinical precision. Kuldeep was at his magical best, picking up 4 wickets for just 7 runs in his 3 overs, spinning a web around the UAE batters. Shivam Dube, who chipped in with the ball as well, returned stunning figures of 3 for 4, making the most of the spin-friendly Dubai conditions.
Jasprit Bumrah set the tone early on by delivering a perfect yorker to claim the first breakthrough, triggering a collapse that the UAE lineup never recovered from. The team was bundled out for a mere 57 runs in 13.1 overs, their lowest total in Asia Cup history. India made light work of the chase. Young opener Abhishek Sharma was explosive at the top, smashing 30 runs off just 16 deliveries to kill any hopes of a UAE comeback. Shubman Gill stayed unbeaten on 20 as India wrapped up the run chase in only 4.3 overs, sealing a comprehensive nine-wicket win and sending out a strong message early in the tournament.
