India outclassed arch-rivals Pakistan with a commanding 7-wicket win in their Asia Cup 2025 Group ‘A’ clash on Sunday, sealing a spot in the Super 4 stage. With this victory, Rohit Sharma’s men booked their berth in the next round and will now take on Oman in their final group fixture.
Pakistan offered little resistance as India, powered by a clinical all-round display, reaffirmed their dominance in the high-voltage clash. The bowlers first tightened the screws to restrict Pakistan before the batters chased down the target with ease. While the campaign has looked smooth so far, concerns linger over a possible imbalance in the squad due to one player.
Before the Asia Cup 2025, Shubman Gill had mostly been seen in ODIs and Tests. In recent months, however, he has been at the centre of attention, with the BCCI keen on giving him a bigger role. He was recently appointed captain of the Indian Test team and, despite a disappointing run in the England series, was immediately picked for the Asia Cup.
At present, India have more experienced options both as openers and captains, yet Shubman Gill is being elevated to a prominent role. Backed by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, he was handed the Test captaincy and named vice-captain in T20s.
Gill thrives on flat and turning tracks and has shown the ability to handle bounce, as seen during the England tour. But while leading the side in tough situations, he often appeared unsure of his decisions. It was the steady presence of KL Rahul that helped him cope during those testing moments.
Gill’s struggles against spin resurfaced in the Asia Cup. In the clash against Pakistan, he managed just 10 runs before misjudging Saim Ayub’s delivery and getting stumped after losing control of the turn.
Though Gill’s place in the Asia Cup squad owes much to strong backing, players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer are currently performing at a higher level. Yet, with the continued support of the coach and selectors, Gill keeps moving forward. If this trend persists, India may eventually have to pay a heavy price for banking too much on him, observers caution.
