Former India batter Mohammad Kaif stated that Suryakumar Yadav’s team must discover a fresh combination to secure wins in the 2025 Asia Cup. The 44-year-old pointed out that the absence of all-rounder Washington Sundar will be a major setback for the Men in Blue in the tournament, which begins on Tuesday, September 9.
Mohammad Kaif further highlighted that India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph was largely aided by the presence of an additional all-rounder in the squad. Sharing his views on X (formerly Twitter), he mentioned:
“Rohit’s team won the T20 World Cup with 3 all-rounders – Axar, Jadeja, Hardik – and that meant 6 proper bowling options and batting till 8. At Asia Cup, with only 2 genuine allrounders – Hardik and Axar. – India will have to find a new winning combination. Washington Sundar will be missed”.
Rohit's team won the T20 World Cup with 3 all-rounders – Axar, Jadeja, Hardik – and that meant 6 proper bowling options and batting till 8. At Asia Cup, with only 2 genuine allrounders – Hardik and Axar. – India will have to find a new winning combination. Washington Sundar will…
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 8, 2025
Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja made vital contributions at different phases of India’s successful 2024 T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies and the USA. The tournament also marked Jadeja’s final appearance in T20Is for India, as he announced his retirement from the format alongside Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Washington Sundar Named Among Reserves As India Prioritise Batting Depth For Asia Cup 2025
India’s squad for the 2025 Asia Cup includes several members of the team that lifted the T20 World Cup in June 2024. However, the selectors named Washington Sundar only as a standby for the continental tournament. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who has represented India in 54 T20Is, last featured against England in Rajkot in January 2025.
Over his T20I career, he has claimed 48 wickets at an economy rate of 6.94. With the bat, Sundar has contributed 193 runs at a strike rate of 121.38. He was also instrumental in India’s recent five-match Test series against England, delivering valuable performances with both bat and ball in a contest that ended in a 2-2 draw.
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