With the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan just a night away, former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has picked the Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, as the key to India's success in the upcoming encounter.
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The Men In Blue will be up against their neighbours, Pakistan, on Sunday, Sept. 14, in a much-anticipated clash at the Asia Cup 2025.
Sunil Gavaskar backs Suryakumar Yadav as India’s ace in the pack for IND vs PAK
In a recent interview with Sports Today, Gavaskar picked Yadav as India's ace in the pack for the big clash against Pakistan. Gavaskar mentioned Surya as the key while also weighing in on Surya the bowler.
The Indian skipper bowled a couple of overs of off-spin in a T20I series against Sri Lanka. He even helped his side tie a match against the Lankans, defending 7 runs in the final over. India eventually won the game in the Super Over.
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"I think the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, because not only as a batter, he has bowled the odd over as well, being the surprise package, picking up the wicket as we saw in Sri Lanka. But I think his overall captaincy that is going to be the ace in the pack as far as India is concerned," said Gavaskar
The Mubaikar has been India's go-to man, especially in the shortest format. Batting at No.3, Surya has scored a lot of runs with a very positive intent, helping India's cause in crunch situations. He is also one of the most fearsome T20I batters in the world right now.
Sunil Gavaskar warns India: 'Don't lose the powerplay'
Gavaskar has cautioned the World Champions, India, to make full use of the powerplay in both innings. The Indian legend feels that the side that wins the first six-over battle will eventually go on to win the game.
"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," added the little master.
Both India and Pakistan are coming off dominating victories in their opening encounters. The Men In Blue defeated the UAE by 9 wickets and 93 balls to spare, while the latter defeated Oman by a big margin of 93 runs.
More: What happened last time when India faced Pakistan in an Asia Cup match?
As the two sides lock horns on Sunday, India will definitely start as favourites. India is the reigning World Champions and the number 1 T20I side in the World, while Pakistan is undergoing a transitional phase.
However, the nature of the shortest format is such that anything can happen on any given day, and the side that presents itself better and handles pressure goes on to win the game.
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