Former Indian wicketkeeper and cricket analyst Parthiv Patel has shared his bold vision for India’s playing XI in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals Pakistan. In a surprising move, Patel advocates for a formidable six-bowler attack, which would see all-rounder Shivam Dube potentially sidelined.
Patel’s strategic choice leans heavily towards bowling prowess, favoring left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh over Dube. This decision comes despite Dube’s impressive performance in a previous Super-Four clash against Pakistan, where he snatched two crucial wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The six-bowler strategy isn’t entirely new for India, having been experimented with during their Super-Four match against Sri Lanka. Although Arshdeep conceded 46 runs in his four overs during that game, he showcased his resilience and skill with a tight 19th over, giving away just 11 runs, and an exceptional two-run Super Over performance.
Patel’s proposed lineup features a strong batting core, extending deep into the order up to number seven. His selected players for the Indian squad include Abhishek Sharma, the dynamic Shubman Gill, promising Tilak Varma, explosive Suryakumar Yadav, wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson, the influential Hardik Pandya, spin all-rounder Axar Patel, the mystical Kuldeep Yadav, pace specialist Arshdeep Singh, spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, and spinner Varun Chakaravarthy.
Despite the depth, India has often struggled with early batting collapses in high-stakes matches, a concern Patel’s lineup aims to address while prioritizing bowling strength.
A significant factor that could influence the final team selection is Hardik Pandya’s fitness. Pandya sustained an injury during the match against Sri Lanka, leaving the field after bowling only one over. While initial reports suggested cramps, his prolonged absence raised eyebrows.
Should Pandya be deemed unfit for the final, Shivam Dube would likely step in as his direct replacement, further strengthening the batting lineup while Arshdeep Singh would remain crucial for the bowling department. This scenario highlights the delicate balance India must strike between their batting and bowling arsenals.
Predicting the potential standout performer, Patel remarked, “I think Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will have the most opportunities because they play at the top. I think Shubman Gill can be the player of the match.” His comments underscore the importance of top-order batsmen in such a critical encounter.