Former opener and 1983 World Cup winner Chris Srikanth has fought a final struggle against Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 to play Team India. In a remarkable change from India’s lineup in previous matches, Srikanth opted to leave Shivam Dubey, including Arshdeep Singh in his playing XI.
India has been designed to face Pakistan for the third time in the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday, 28 September. In Blue, the man, who is unbeaten till now, defeated Salman Ali Aga twice in the first tournament to win seven wickets in Group A and six wickets in Super Four.
Chris Srikanth has chosen India’s playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chris Srikanth said that Arshdeep Singh should be included in the team management in place of Shivam Dubey. Srikanth said that the team should have seven expert batsmen, along with Kuldeep Yadav, who is capable of scoring quick runs at number 8.
“I will play with Arshdeep Singh instead of Shivam Dubey. Shivam Dubey is also not giving a chance to bat. I will only play with seven batsmen. Kuldeep will bat at number 8. He is not a rabbit at number 8. In 8, you don’t need 20 or 50. You don’t need a limit.
India has opted to bat deeply with only three expert bowlers in most of its Asia Cup 2025 matches. India’s all-time head T20I wicket-arster Arshdeep Singh, four of the six matches played so far, remain on the bench for four.
India is going to win – Chris Srikanth in the Asia Cup final
Chris Srikanth said that Shivam Dubey performed well with the ball in the tournament. He said that he is confident that India will be victorious in the final, regardless of the players.
“Yes, Dubey has distributed brilliantly with the ball. He was the one who took two important wickets against the same Pakistan in the last match. Anyway, for this match, whatever he plays, he is Rama or Ravana, India is going to win,” Srikanth said.
Dube has faced only 18 delivery throughout the campaign, but has a remarkable impact with the ball. He has taken five wickets, including a game-changing spell against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage, an average economy rate of 15.60 and 7.80.
Krrish Srikanth’s Team India is playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill. Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Exer Patel, Kuldeep, Arshdeep Singh, Jaspreet Bumrah, Varun Chakarvargi
Hardik Pandya’s injury raises doubts before the Asia Cup final
All -rounder Hardik Pandya left the ground due to inconvenience in his left thigh after bowling against Sri Lanka on 26 September. While the management of Team India is monitoring him, it is not clear whether it will fit for the final.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel described the issue as a cramp, while other players, including Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Verma, are also managing minor swallows.
India has dominated Pakistan since the loss of its 2022 Asia Cup, winning seven consecutive matches in forms and their last four T20Is against them. In particular, this will be the first India-Pakistan final in the history of the tournament.
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