Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has made a powerful prediction for tonight’s Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan: “Aaj Bharat chak dega phatte” – meaning India will emphatically win.
In a recent statement, Harbhajan declared, “Aaj Bharat jeetega aur hum sab celebrate karenge” (India will win today, and we will all celebrate), perfectly capturing the buoyant mood of the Indian team and its passionate fanbase. India enters this high-stakes clash undefeated, having already beaten Pakistan twice in the tournament – first by seven wickets in the group stage on September 14, and then again by six wickets in the Super Fours on September 21. Expectations for a dominant performance are soaring.
Harbhajan’s unwavering confidence reflects India’s superior form throughout the tournament. Fans and players are eagerly anticipating not just a victory, but a third consecutive win against their fierce rivals in just two weeks, solidifying their bragging rights.
Beyond the excitement of the final, Harbhajan also shared significant news regarding the future of Indian domestic cricket. At the BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai, where he represented the Punjab Cricket Association, a new financial incentive scheme was unveiled. This initiative aims to generously reward players who commit to more domestic matches.
“It has been decided that if a player plays more domestic matches in a season, he will get more money. This will be an incentive for teams to reach the finals of domestic tournaments,” Harbhajan explained. He further detailed the plan, stating, “If a cricketer plays 14 first-class matches a season, he will get an additional match fee of Rs 1 crore.” This bold move highlights the board’s dedication to nurturing consistency and healthy competition within the domestic circuit.
The new incentive is being widely celebrated as a potential game-changer for prestigious tournaments like the Ranji Trophy. It’s designed to strongly encourage players to prioritize domestic cricket and offers substantial financial recognition for sustained, high-level performance.