Not Abhishek Sharma or Jasprit Bumrah! Sunil Gavaskar names India’s ace vs Pakistan

As India is set to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 clash on Sunday, September 14, in Dubai, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has named Suryakumar Yadav as the key player who can lead India to victory. Gavaskar believes that Suryakumar Yadav is more than just a top-order batter.

The former Indian captain has pointed out that Suryakumar’s smart captaincy, quick decision-making, and ability to adapt to match situations make him India’s strongest asset against Pakistan.

Gavaskar also hailed India’s T20 captain’s clever changes in batting and bowling strategies that will give India the upper hand, especially in high-pressure moments, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 clash.

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Sunil Gavaskar backs Suryakumar Yadav as India’s secret weapon against Pakistan

The legendary batter said that the right-handed batter’s unexpected spells make him a “surprise package” that opponents find hard to read, so she feels Suryakumar will be India’s ace in the pack in the much-awaited Asia Cup 2025 clash on Sunday in Dubai.

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Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Aaj Tak: “I think Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav will be our ace in the pack because not only as a batter, but also he has bowled the odd over as well, being the surprise package, picking up the wicket as we saw in Sri Lanka.

And also because he is a very good and smart captain. He knows the situation very well. He knows how to change the bowling and batting. He makes decisions very quickly. I think his overall captaincy is going to be the ace in the pack as far as India is concerned.”

Win the powerplay to beat Pakistan: Sunil Gavaskar to India

Before the big India vs Pakistan clash, Sunil Gavaskar had also warned India to fully use the powerplay overs in both innings against Pakistan. He said that the first six overs are the most important in T20 cricket and can decide the match more than any other phase.

Sunil Gavaskar signed off by saying, “The one scenario is in the first six overs. The Powerplay. Always, in any T20 format, the Powerplay is so decisive, more than anything else."

"Yes, there are the last four overs that can change the game as well, but the powerplay—if the team wins the powerplay, if a team wins both the powerplays, the batting powerplay and the fielding powerplay—then they are more likely to go on to win. India will have to watch out for that.”

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Gautam Gambhir tells India players to stay professional

This Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan will be their first meeting since tensions rose after Operation Sindoor a few months back. The situation led people in India to question whether the team should even play against Pakistan in any sport.

However, before the game, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke to the players in the dressing room to address these concerns and keep the team focused.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate revealed that Gambhir asked the Indian players to be “very professional” and not to worry about things that are not in their control. He said that the team is also aware of the sentiments and the strong feelings among the countrymen about facing Pakistan.