'Include India-A...'- Former star player suggests controversial idea for Men's Asia Cup 2025

The former Indian spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, has shown his concern for the competitiveness of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ahead of India’s opening game against the UAE side, Ashwin has called for the inclusion of either India-A or South Africa to convert it to an Afro-Asia event.

Eight teams are participating in the Asia Cup 2025, divided into two groups. After that, four teams, divided into two groups, will face all three teams in the tournament. The top two sides from each other will lock horns for the final on September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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“They can almost include a South Africa and make it an Afro-Asia Cup to make the tournament competitive. As it is now, they should probably include an India A side for it to be some contest. We’ve not even spoken about Bangladesh. Because there is nothing to talk about with them. How are these teams going to even compete against India?” The Tamil Nadu spinner expressed on his YouTube channel.

Ravichandran Ashwin gives bold suggestion to develop Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025

Even after Afghanistan’s successful qualification to the T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal in the West Indies and the United States of America, Ravichandran Ashwin reckoned that the Asian side was not capable enough to chase huge targets in the second innings. He highlighted that the only way for the Rashid Khan-led side to win is to restrict the opponent to under 160.

“This is not some curtain raiser for the 2026 T20 World Cup, it’s only a curtain. This tournament isn’t some major yardstick for it. Even against the so-called threat of the Afghanistan bowlers, if India bat well and score 170+, who will Afghanistan chase this down with? It’s nearly impossible.” Ashwin shed light.

“The only way to defeat India is by somehow restricting them to 155 on a good day, and then chasing it down. Normally, a T20 is thrilling, but India will likely make even that one-sided in this Asia Cup.” The 38-year-old concluded as Afghanistan earned a huge 94-run victory.