India’s victory in the Asia Cup 2025 was more than just another trophy in the cabinet. It was a statement of intent, a reminder that the Men in Blue still remain the most formidable T20I outfit in Asia. Yet, beneath the jubilation lies a set of uncomfortable truths that the team management cannot afford to ignore. With the 2026 T20 World Cup in sight, this campaign must serve as both validation and warning.
India’s batting unit carried the side with a blend of aggression and composure. Abhishek Sharma’s fearless starts alongside Shubman Gill’s calculated approach laid down a blueprint of powerplay dominance, often putting opponents under immediate pressure. The middle order, powered by Shivam Dube’s finishing ability and Sanju Samson’s resurgence at No. 5, ensured India rarely lost momentum once the platform was set. Tilak Varma with that heroic innings in the final silenced critics and has perhaps cemented his positioning as a dependable middle order batsman who can accelerate or stabilise depending on game scenario.
On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah’s return to full rhythm was the most encouraging sign. His yorkers reminded the cricket world why he is India’s ultimate death-over insurance. However, Bumrah’s nip off the surface and extra zip was not so consistent during the course of the tournament. Arshdeep Singh offered variety with his left-arm angle although he did give away quite some runs in his opening overs, while Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel provided spin control in conditions that demanded guile more than turn.
Despite lifting the trophy, India did not operate anywhere near full potential. The batting, while explosive, still showed fragility against disciplined spin, particularly in the middle overs. Strike rotation was patchy, and collapses were narrowly avoided rather than eliminated. Against high-quality bowling, this could prove fatal in global competition.
Bowling depth remains an area of concern. Beyond Bumrah and Arshdeep, the attack lacked consistency. Harshit Rana and Shivam Dube impressed in patches but did not inspire complete confidence. The matches against Oman and Sri Lanka left us wondering what was missing in the armoury.
The catching was deplorable and given that the other teams did not fare as badly, except perhaps for Pakistan in the final is another area of concern.
To convert Asia Cup success into World Cup dominance, India must act decisively by first defining a stable Top Six – While the opening duo of Gill and Abhishek has worked, Yashasvi Jaiswal remains too talented to be sidelined. A clear call must be taken on whether he is groomed as a backup opener or integrated into the XI as a floater. This decision cannot be deferred.
Second, India need to resolve the All-Rounder conundrum, India must identify and back at least one more bowling all-rounder, perhaps Washington Sundar, to avoid over-reliance. A pool of at least eight match-ready bowlers should be rotated in bilateral series leading up to the World Cup. Batting against spin and pressure scenarios in the middle overs must be prioritised. It is here that India lags behind teams like England, who thrive on adaptability. India’s recent history in ICC events is scarred by semi-final and final stage collapses though it improves in the last T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. Replicating high-pressure scenarios in practice is no longer optional.
The Asia Cup 2025 was a victory worth celebrating, but not one that masks shortcomings. If anything, it should act as a mirror. India played at about 70–75 per cent of their true potential and still won – a sign of their extraordinary depth. But global tournaments are not won on potential; they are won on ruthless execution.
As the countdown to the 2026 T20 World Cup begins, India’s challenge is not talent but refinement. If the management can address middle-order adaptability, all-rounder balance, bowling depth and catching skills, this side could not just win but dominate the next World Cup. The Asia Cup was a chapter; the story of world domination is still waiting to be written.
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