High-stakes drama await fans on Sunday as India square off against Pakistan in a pivotal Asia Cup 2025 group stage fixture. Despite the simmering tension surrounding the fixture and calls for a boycott from sections of the public, the clash remains one of the most anticipated on the calendar.
India enter the match brimming with confidence, having crushed the UAE in their tournament opener by nine wickets. The Men in Blue bundled out the Emiratis for a paltry 57, the lowest total in Asia Cup history, and chased it down with ease. Pakistan, meanwhile, also opened their campaign on a winning note, overpowering Oman by 93 runs. But despite the emphatic win, questions remain over the inexperience in their ranks.
The head-to-head record in T20Is firmly tilts in India’s favour. Out of 13 matches, India have emerged victorious on 10 occasions. Their last meeting came during the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai earlier this year, where India secured a comfortable six-wicket win.
From a team composition perspective, India are likely to make just one change, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh returning to the XI. Several members of the Indian side, however, are still untested in the high-octane atmosphere of an India-Pakistan clash.
Opener Abhishek Sharma is set to make his debut against Pakistan, as is his opening partner and close friend, Shubman Gill, who is also the team’s vice-captain. Middle-order batter Tilak Varma, too, is yet to face Pakistan in T20 internationals. The absence of experience in such fixtures could pose a challenge, though the form and composure of these youngsters remain promising.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav has yet to leave his mark against the arch-rivals. In five appearances, the flamboyant right-hander has managed just 64 runs at a modest average of 12 and a strike rate of 118. He will be eager to step up on Sunday and lead from the front.
Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer against Pakistan. In seven T20Is, he has scored 91 runs and claimed 13 wickets with a remarkable bowling strike rate of 9.9. His all-round ability makes him a vital cog in India’s plans.
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, despite being in and out of the national side for years, has surprisingly never played a T20I against Pakistan. All-rounder Axar Patel has featured twice, scoring just 20 runs and taking one wicket, though his economy rate of 10.66 is a concern.
India’s bowling attack, however, looks formidable. Jasprit Bumrah has been a nightmare for Pakistan batters, claiming five wickets in four matches at an economy of just 5.42. He will be partnered by Arshdeep Singh, who has an impressive haul of seven wickets from four games at an economy of 7.85.
While Kuldeep Yadav has yet to feature in a T20I against Pakistan, Varun Chakravarthy was effective in his only outing, conceding just 33 runs in his spell.
