‘100 wickets and counting’: Ashwin hails Arshdeep Singh as India’s strike weapon before Pakistan final | Asia Cup final

Divy Dubey

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‘100 wickets and counting’: Ashwin hails Arshdeep Singh as India’s strike weapon before Pakistan final | Asia Cup final image

India and Pakistan will clash in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday. India come into the title match unbeaten but questions remain around skipper Suryakumar Yadav's form with the bat.

While the rest of the side has delivered consistently, Surya has struggled to find fluency in the tournament - raising concern ahead of the biggest game of the campaign.

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Varun Aaron tells Suryakumar Yadav to change approach before IND vs PAK Asia Cup final

Former India pacer Varun Aaron suggested that Suryakumar Yadav tweak his approach in the early stages of his innings. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Aaron said the Indian captain should look to play straighter down the ground before shifting to his trademark unconventional shots.

"He should change his tactics a little bit because he is a player who can play really well down the ground as well. So he should maybe switch it around and go straight down the ground and then go behind," Aaron said.

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Aaron pointed out that Suryakumar often thrives on quicker pitches and against genuine pace but has looked less assured on slower tracks in this Asia Cup. The 35-year-old batter has scored only 71 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 107.57.

Aakash Chopra analyzes Abhishek Sharma’s battle with Shaheen Afridi in IND vs PAK

While Surya's form is under the scanner, former India batter Aakash Chopra turned his focus to Abhishek Sharma's hitting with Shaheen Afridi. Abhishek has dominated the left-arm pacer in both earlier meetings of the tournament - scoring 31 runs off just 14 deliveries.

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Chopra said that Abhishek's ability to use pace and angles makes him difficult to contain in the powerplay. He also acknowledged the challenge of replicating that in a major final - especially given it's the youngster's first appearance in a multinational tournament decider.

According to Chopra, Abhishek is unlikely to abandon his attacking style and the outcome of his battle with Afridi could play a decisive role in shaping Sunday’s contest.

India head into the final with momentum on their side but individual match-ups and tactical adjustments could prove critical. Whether Suryakumar Yadav finds rhythm and whether Abhishek Sharma maintains his fearless approach against Shaheen Afridi may define how the game unfolds.

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Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.