Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan opined on finishing as a major issue for India, following the 41-run win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 stage as well. However, Irfan Pathan also predicted that India’s struggles in this department might lead them to trouble during the more challenging games as well.
“India were 110 at one stage after Abhishek Sharma got out, and you expect to get 200 from there, but they could not even score 170. Apart from Hardik Pandya, the other lower middle-order batters, it seems like they need to work hard if they need to be successful in that finishing role. Eventually, at the big stage, not Asia Cup, they might not need it here, but there will be a time where India will have to improve their finishing, especially the lower middle order batters who are used to batting in the top or middle order,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
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“The match-up was right there, but Sanju Samson had to bat quite low, Tilak Varma also got demoted. It is difficult to bat down the order and show the aggression straightaway. Sanju Samson did not even come to bat, the No.8 position is a position that is quite low for him. Even Axar Patel struggled, he is someone who is fluent mostly, even he did not seem in good rhythm. Overall, looking at the batting, it seems that Abhishek Sharma is now the mainstay,” he added.
However, Irfan Pathan hailed Abhishek Sharma’s ability to maintain such a high strike rate as well as being consistent.
“Abhishek Sharma, I mean India have never found such a T20 batter till now. He is the best T20 batter, he strikes close to 200 that too with incredible consistency. In the first three overs, only 17 runs were scored, but in spite of that, they ended with an unbelievable score in the powerplay,” Pathan said. “His hitting ability is incredible, he never stops. The way he targets down the ground, the way he plays through the offside, it is a lot of fun watching that,” he added.
