Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Suryakumar Yadav’s bold statement on the India-Pakistan rivalry, insisting that the Asia Cup 2025 final once again proved that the contest no longer exists in cricketing terms. India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a tense final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to lift their record ninth Asia Cup title and underline their dominance.
India last lost to Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup, but since then, the Men in Blue have maintained a clean slate in white-ball cricket against their arch-rivals. After the Super 4s clash earlier this month, Suryakumar Yadav remarked that there is “no rivalry” left with Pakistan, a comment that stirred discussions across the cricketing fraternity. Speaking exclusively to India Today, Harbhajan said that Suryakumar was absolutely right in his assessment.
“There is no competition between India and Pakistan anymore. India is way ahead of Pakistan in all aspects, not just cricket,” Harbhajan Singh said. “If you look at the recent record, India has won almost every encounter. Out of the last 10 games, India must have won nine. That itself proves the gap.”
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The veteran spinner reserved special praise for Tilak Varma, who anchored India’s run chase with a mature, unbeaten 69. “Tilak showed remarkable composure. He picked his moments beautifully, stitched partnerships, and stayed till the end. This is how champions are built. These youngsters are prepared for big moments, and that’s what makes India stand apart,” Harbhajan added.
The former India stalwart further stressed that the Asia Cup was never about Pakistan’s performance but about how India executed their own game plan.
“Forget what Pakistan did. This tournament was India vs India—how well India could perform. If India plays to even 60 percent of their potential, no team in the world can beat them,” he said. Reflecting on the final, Harbhajan admitted that the first six overs were tense, but India’s depth and resilience ensured another famous victory.
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“The team was under pressure early, but the way the youngsters handled it was exceptional. That’s what Indian cricket is about—fight till the last ball, and eventually, emerge as winners,” Harbhajan concluded.
India’s triumph, powered by experience and youthful energy, has once again showcased why the so-called “rivalry” is now a one-sided story of dominance.
