Virender Sehwag, one of India’s most explosive former cricketers, believes the Asia Cup 2025 will be more than just a regional competition—it will act as the perfect testing ground for the Men in Blue ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. With the BCCI recently announcing the squad, Sehwag stressed that the continental tournament will help the management identify the right combinations, give opportunities to emerging players, and sharpen the team’s overall balance before the big stage.
“In the T20 format, this Asia Cup can serve as great preparation for the World Cup,” Virender Sehwag told Sony Sports Network. “It’s the chance to assess new players, decide who fits into the bigger plan, and start building a squad that can challenge for the title. For me, there’s no better stage to test India’s strength.”
Having lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup, India now faces the challenge of defending their crown. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the T20I unit has looked revitalised. The side has stitched together four consecutive series wins against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, and England—momentum they’ll look to carry into the Asia Cup.
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Memories of the 2022 Asia Cup, however, still linger. That year, India failed to progress past the Super Four stage after back-to-back defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The disappointment remains a lesson in how unpredictable the T20 format can be, and the current squad will be eager to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.
Virender Sehwag’s take on what to expect from India at Asia Cup 2025 🧐🏏#ACCMensAsiaCup2025 ➡️ Sept 9, LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu), Sony Sports Ten 5 & Sony LIV.@virendersehwag | #SonySportsNetwork pic.twitter.com/hZFM2xSmZV
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 26, 2025
The spotlight will also be on vice-captain Shubman Gill, who is making his return to the T20I setup after more than a year. At just 25, Gill is already being touted as India’s next all-format leader, and this tournament will give him the platform to showcase both his batting class and his leadership maturity under Suryakumar’s captaincy. His form could be a decisive factor in shaping India’s World Cup ambitions.
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India will begin their Asia Cup 2025 journey against the United Arab Emirates on September 10 in Dubai, before locking horns with traditional rivals Pakistan and newcomers Oman in the group stage. With Sehwag’s words echoing in the background, the Asia Cup is set to be India’s ideal dress rehearsal for the global stage.
