Asia Cup 2025: India’s journey so far – Strengths & weaknesses

India have been the team to beat in the ongoing Asia Cup. The Men in Blue were the first team to qualify for the Super-Four stage of the competition. India came into the tournament as the favourites, and they have done justice to the tag thus far.

Suryakumar Yadav and Co. has performed like a well-oiled machine, steamrolling opponents in the first couple of matches with a touch of nonchalance. This team has all the ingredients to go the distance in the tournament, after already ensured progress beyond the group stage.

Placed in Group A, India started their campaign against the UAE on September 10, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The hosts were bowled out for 57 in 13.1 overs after India won the toss and opted to field first. Kuldeep Yadav starred with a four-for, while Shivam Dube bagged a three-for. In reply, India romped home in just 4.3 overs, with nine wickets to spare.

India's following game was against age-old rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 14. The Men in Blue restricted Pakistan to 127/9 in 20 overs after Kuldeep finished with remarkable figures of 3/18. In reply, India raced to victory in 15.5 overs, scoring 131/3. Captain Suryakumar led from the front, remaining unbeaten on 47 off 37 balls.

After the match, the Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, standing in solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack. This has caused quite the controversy surrounding the high-voltage continental competition.

Top performers with bat:

Abhishek Sharma - Top-scorer for India

Abhishek Sharma's batting at the top of the order has been like a breath of fresh air. His ability to take the bowlers to the cleaners from the outset has mesmerised the cricket fraternity. The Punjab batter's fearless approach has helped him get India off to blistering starts in both matches. Abhishek's next target will be to convert his starts into substantial scores, as he has made 30 (16) and 31 (13) in the first two matches, respectively.

Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav batted for just a couple of balls in the game against UAE but managed to hit a six. However, he played a stellar knock in the subsequent clash against Pakistan. The right-handed batter hit five fours and one six to remain unbeaten on 47 off 37 deliveries. Suryakumar finished with a strike rate of 127.03.

Top performers with ball:

Kuldeep Yadav - Top wicket-taker for India

Kuldeep Yadav has been in excellent form in the 2025 Asia Cup. After being forced to sit out in the entire 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Kuldeep celebrated his comeback by wreaking havoc against the UAE. He took four wickets, conceding just seven runs in 2.1 overs. In the second game, against Pakistan, Kuldeep bagged a three-for, going for just 18 runs in four overs. The Kanpur-born has built pressure through the middle overs and this has helped both of them in succeeding. Interestingly, Kuldeep won the Player of the Match in both matches.

Axar Patel

Axar Patel's services with the bat have not been required as yet. However, he has bowled a couple of magnificent spells with the ball in the tournament. The left-arm spinner has picked three wickets in two matches at an average of 10.33 and an economy rate of 4.43. Axar's consistency with his lines and lengths has been immaculate.

Strengths and weaknesses

India's biggest strength lies in their fearless approach. They have also stuffed their playing XI with a plethora of all-rounders, which has given them great depth in the batting department. Axar is expected to bat at No. 8 in this lineup and this batting depth has allowed India to go for the jugular, even when they lost a few wickets in the run-chase against Pakistan.

When it comes to weaknesses, it is tough to point out any based on the two matches played so far. The Indian team has not been put under any sort of pressure as yet. There are a lot of young players in the lineup. It will be interesting to see how they react in the business end of the tournament.