Ashwin Says India Too Strong for Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025
India’s dominant display against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has drawn strong reactions from former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, who believes the Men in Blue are operating in “a different league” compared to their arch-rivals.
The group stage contest at the Dubai International Stadium ended in a one-sided affair. Pakistan stumbled to 127/9 in their 20 overs before India chased down the target with ease, winning by seven wickets and 25 balls remaining.
On his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said:
“Perhaps the Asia Cup organizers should have three India and Sri Lanka games next time. I feel that India and Sri Lanka would be a much tighter contest. I actually feel very, very sorry for the Pakistan cricket team. They don’t have the exposure to play in all the cricket leagues in the world. They’re not able to ply their trade in most of the leagues.”
Saim Ayub Gets Praise, Pakistan Criticised
Ashwin acknowledged only one Pakistani player for showing class. “For Pakistan, I felt that only Saim Ayub has a great temperament. He also bowled a great spell, especially the way he took the wickets of Shubman Gill and Tilak Verma. It was class apart because Abhishek Sharma took him down, but besides Saim Ayub, I don’t think this Pakistan cricket team has a lot of class,” he remarked.
He added: “Of course, India is in a different league in every way—practically, technically, and strategically. So it’s very unfair to compare.”
IPL Exposure Gives India Edge
Calling this the strongest Indian T20 team ever, Ashwin pointed to the IPL’s role in producing pressure-hardened players. “I would say this is the strongest T20 team that India has ever put on a park. It is just unfair to even compare both teams,” he said.
He explained the contrast: “In the batting today, look at Abhishek Sharma. This is why I rate him the most. Sharma used his feet on the very first ball against Shaheen Shah Afridi. In stark contrast, Mohammad Haris stood his ground and hit Jasprit Bumrah across the line, and the ball went straight up. You can’t play such a shot against Bumrah. This is not the Oman team.”
Ashwin also criticised Pakistan’s inability to play quality spin. “Until Shaheen Shah Afridi came to bat, they just could not pick Kuldeep Yadav. They could not middle deliveries from Varun Chakravarthy.”
He concluded that India’s players thrive under the high-pressure atmosphere of the IPL, while Pakistan’s lack of global league exposure continues to hold them back.
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