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Farveez Maharoof backs Suryakumar Yadav-led India as Asia Cup 2025 favourites, citing strong T20 form. India faces UAE first, with a key clash against Pakistan on September 14.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill (PTI)
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Farveez Maharoof has endorsed India as the clear favourites to win the Asia Cup 2025. The eagerly anticipated tournament commences on September 9, with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in the opening match.
Suryakumar Yadav-led India, the defending champions, have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Their campaign kicks off on September 10 against the UAE, with the notable India-Pakistan clash set for September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Farveez Maharoof, speaking to Sports Tak, elaborated on why he considers India to have the upper hand in the competition.
“India, what I said, because of the side that they have, you know it, though they didn’t win the last Asia Cup, which was played in T20I format. They won the 50 of Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, so on papers, certainly think India are the favourites, but T20 game is on the day within matters of one over, things can change, so it’s just a matter of how and how well you play on a particular day,” he said.
Why India Are Favourites For 2025 Asia Cup?
India’s recent form in T20 Internationals further supports Maharoof’s view. Since the T20 World Cup 2024, the Men in Blue have secured victories against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, and England in bilateral series. Their last T20I series loss was in August 2023 against the West Indies.
Maharoof also addressed Sri Lanka’s challenges in the T20 format. He acknowledged the team’s dip in form but expressed optimism about their prospects in the Asia Cup 2025.
“India, what I said, because of the side that they have, you know it, though they didn’t win the last Asia Cup, which was played in T20I format. They won the 50 of Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, so on papers, certainly think India are the favourites, but T20 game is on the day within matters of one over, things can change, so it’s just a matter of how and how well you play on a particular day,” he added.
Sri Lanka, placed in Group B, will commence their campaign on September 13 against Bangladesh. They will also face Afghanistan and Hong Kong in the group stage.
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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