Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof has backed India as the outright favourites for the Asia Cup 2025. This tournament is set to bring high-voltage action when it kicks off on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the opener. Defending champions India, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, find themselves in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman.
Their campaign begins on September 10 against the UAE, but all eyes will be on the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. Explaining his stance in a conversation with Sports Tak, Maharoof underlined India’s depth and balance.
“India, with the squad they possess, are definitely the strongest contenders. Though they couldn’t clinch the last Asia Cup played in the T20I format, they did lift the 50-over Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. On paper, they look formidable. But in T20 cricket, momentum can shift within an over, so execution on the day will be crucial,” Farveez Maharoof observed.
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Recent performances also validate Maharoof’s claim. Since the T20 World Cup 2024, India has enjoyed consistent success in the shortest format, recording series wins against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, and England. Remarkably, their last bilateral T20I series defeat came way back in August 2023 against West Indies, further showcasing their dominance.
Turning attention to Sri Lanka, Maharoof admitted that his national side has struggled to find consistency in T20 cricket but still sees them as potential dark horses. “Sri Lanka may not be at their best, but tournaments like the Asia Cup can often spark a turnaround,” he said.
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Sri Lanka is drawn in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. Their campaign starts on September 13 against Bangladesh, a fixture that could set the tone for their journey in the tournament. With India aiming to defend their crown and rivals eager to challenge their supremacy, the Asia Cup 2025 promises a blend of rivalries, surprises, and thrilling T20 action.
