BCCI above national interest? Aditya Thackeray on India vs Pakistan at Asia Cup
Recently, the Prime Minister also said water and blood cannot flow together from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Yet, only because of BCCI's insistence and desire for the money and ad revenue, probably, it holds the "sindoor", and lives of our jawans as negligible, he said."Yet, sadly enough, and shamelessly, the BCCI is sending a team to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Is the BCCI above national interest? Is it above the sacrifice of our Jawans? Is it above the Sindoor of those who faced the attack in Pahalgham?" Thackeray said."We sent out delegations to the world, saying Pakistan is behind Pahalgam. Now, will we send out delegations to the world to justify why we are playing cricket with them?" Thackeray asked.It is truly a shameful act, when Pakistan has backed out of playing hockey in India, citing security reasons, that the BCCI plays Pakistan for selfish interest, the former Maharashtra minister said.The two marquee India versus Pakistan games will be held in Dubai during the upcoming Asia Cup, which is scheduled to start in the UAE from September 9.India and Pakistan will square off on September 14 in Dubai and one more time, potentially on September 21, at the same venue. The final on September 29 will also be held in Dubai. The tournament will be held in T20I format, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year.- Ends
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Samson and Dube out, Jitesh to come in?: Picking India's strongest playing XI for Asia Cup 2025
With the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 out, it is time to analyse and contemplate what could be Team India's playing XI in the Asia Cup matches. The press conference eagerly awaited by Indian cricket fans took place on Tuesday in Mumbai, where chief selector Ajit Agarkar and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav announced the 15-member Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025. In the lead-up to the squad announcement, several suggestions were made over who could potentially be in the squad and who could receive a snub. With the squad out, everything is crystal clear now. Subsequently, it is time to dive deep into the squad and figure out the players likely to feature in the playing XI for the tournament. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Excluding key players like captain Suryakumar Yadav, premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and opener Abhishek Sharma, who face little competition for their spots, who else might secure a place in India's playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025? Newly appointed vice-captain Shubman Gill is likely another guaranteed pick, as chief selector Ajit Agarkar has hinted at his potential as a future all-format captain. Additionally, Gill's role as deputy suggests his spot is secure, making him a likely choice over Sanju Samson to open the innings for India. With five spots in the playing XI already secured, and given the success of spinners in the Champions Trophy earlier this year in the UAE, Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir are likely to select Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, leaving four slots open. Who should bat at No.3? Tilak Varma has been exceptional for India since his T20 debut in 2023 against the West Indies, where he shone at No. 4. He later moved to No. 3, delivering standout performances, including back-to-back centuries against South Africa in November 2024. His consistent form at No. 3 continued in India's T20I series against England, strongly indicating he will retain that position for the Asia Cup 2025. Suryakumar Yadav could also bat at No. 3, with him and Tilak Varma potentially rotating the position based on form and match conditions. However, No. 4 appears to be Suryakumar's preferred spot, where he consistently plays for both India and the Mumbai Indians. Tilak Varma scored back to back centuries for India against South Africa. Image: AP Axar's utility or Rinku's finishing? Axar Patel proved vital for India during the 2024 T20 World Cup, batting at No. 4 and justifying his selection with a crucial 47 in the final against South Africa, while also contributing significantly with the ball throughout the tournament. His all-round utility makes him a likely pick for the Asia Cup 2025. However, selecting him over a proven finisher like Rinku Singh, who is also present in the squad, will be a tough decision. Moreover, Shivam Dube, who made a significant impact for India with his 20-30 run cameos in the T20 World Cup 2024, is also in the reckoning. He was also decent in the England series, scoring 83 runs in two T20Is. All-rounder Axar Patel is one of the players likely to be included in the playing XI. Image: AP Which keeper will solve the lower-middle order woes? With Sanju Samson, who is better suited to open but likely to lose his spot to Shubman Gill, Jitesh Sharma is poised to take on wicket-keeping duties. Sharma's batting record for India has been modest, scoring just 100 runs in nine T20Is, with his last appearance in January 2024 against Afghanistan ending in a duck. However, his strong IPL 2025 performance, where he scored 261 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 178, keeps him in contention. He is likely to serve as the wicket-keeper and a valuable lower-order batsman for the Asia Cup 2025. Selecting Jitesh Sharma over Sanju Samson will be challenging, as Samson has a proven track record in T20 internationals. However, Samson's poor performance against England earlier in 2025, scoring just 51 runs in five matches, goes against him. Jitesh's addition at the bottom means one out of Axar or Dube will have to go out and considering the matches are un UAE, the former may get picked. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sanju Samson has scored three T20I tons since Gautam Gambhir took over. Reuters Arshdeep Singh will support Bumrah Arshdeep Singh was instrumental in India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets. A regular in India's T20I lineup, he is certain to feature in the playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025. He would only miss out if India decide to go with only one specialist pacer and add an extra seam-bowling all-rounder like Dube. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is expected to be a regular member of India's playing XI at the Asia Cup along with senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah. AP India's Likely playing XI in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 Considering all the factors, this could be the preferred playing XI for Team India: Abhishek Sharma Shubman Gill Tilak Varma Suryakumar Yadav Hardik Pandya Axar Patel Jitesh Sharma Kuldeep Yadav Jasprit Bumrah Arshdeep Singh Varun Chakravarthy The above 11 provide excellent balance to the team, but the final selection will depend on the coach and captain's decision.
