Deep Dasgupta said that Pakistan hasn’t played well in the past few years, even though they have some talented players. Still, the former India wicketkeeper warned Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates not to be overconfident when they face the Men in Green in the second Super Four match of the 2025 Asia Cup on Sunday, September 21, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India had beaten Pakistan comfortably by seven wickets in their group-stage match in Dubai last week. To reach the Super Four, Pakistan had to win a must-win game against the UAE. On Sunday, Pakistan will aim for revenge against their rivals and try to put India under pressure regarding qualification for the final.
“Pakistan hasn’t been playing well as a team for the past few years. They have talented players, but they haven’t performed together consistently. Even so, they are always a threat, and in this format, no team can be underestimated,” Dasgupta told India Today before Sunday’s match.
Dasgupta believes Pakistan will need smarter strategies when they face India’s spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy. He pointed out that in their last encounter, the Pakistani batsmen struggled and seemed unsure how to handle them.
“They seemed completely lost against Kuldeep and Varun. I’m sure they will prepare better this time. Hopefully, the focus will be on cricket, not off-field issues,” Dasgupta said.
Dasgupta: I Still Believe in Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill was made India’s T20I vice-captain before the Asia Cup. So far, he hasn’t performed as expected, scoring just 35 runs in three innings at an average of 17.50. However, Dasgupta asked fans to be patient, saying Gill needs some time to adjust to T20 cricket after playing brilliantly in the recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England.
“T20 cricket is high-risk and high-reward. Gill has changed his technique for red-ball matches, which has worked well. But switching back to T20 takes time. He’s a talented player and just needs to find his old form. I still have a lot of faith in him,” Dasgupta said.
FAQ
Who gave this warning about the India-Pakistan match?
A former India cricketer provided this insight ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 clash.
What did the ex-India cricketer say about India?
He acknowledged that India has a clear quality advantage over Pakistan in terms of players and performance.
Why did he say Pakistan can still be dangerous?
Despite India’s edge, he believes Pakistan has the talent and ability to pose a serious challenge.
When is the India-Pakistan match scheduled in Asia Cup 2025?
The match is scheduled for Sunday in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025.