"India Will Absolutely Clobber Pakistan" – Former Indian Captain Drops Bold Comments on Asia Cup 2025 Final

Former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes Pakistan have no chance of winning against Team India in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, September 28. India have beaten Pakistan in their last four T20I games, including twice in this tournament.

India are in great T20I form, winning 35 of their last 38 matches. But they struggled in their last Super Four match against Sri Lanka and won only in a Super Over.

Giving his prediction for the India-Pakistan final on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said (21:50):

"I won’t give Pakistan even a 1% chance. You may ask what happened against Sri Lanka and how India almost lost. Don’t forget Jasprit Bumrah did not play that match. And Harshit Rana, who is an average bowler, played. He is just a film bowler. The Sri Lankan batters got confidence only after hitting him. There is a big difference between Bumrah and Harshit Rana."

Also Read -PCB files complaint with ICC against Arshdeep Singh’s inappropriate gestures: Report

Srikkanth says India will crush Pakistan

Former opener Kris Srikkanth believes India will beat Pakistan easily in the Asia Cup 2025 final, even if star batter Abhishek Sharma does not score.

"India will absolutely clobber Pakistan. Yes, Abhishek Sharma is the main man for India. But people ask me what will happen if he fails. Even if he fails tomorrow, we have Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma in good form. They can score runs," said Srikkanth.

He also added: "Pakistan are playing with Shaheen Afridi as their main batter. Even if Abhishek fails, Pakistan has no chance. But I don’t see Abhishek getting out early unless he throws his wicket away."

Abhishek Sharma has been the batter of the tournament with 309 runs in six matches. He averages over 51 and has a strike rate of 204.63.

Srikkanth on Bumrah’s bowling

Kris Srikkanth also spoke about India’s use of Jasprit Bumrah. He feels Bumrah should not bowl three overs in the powerplay.

"Bumrah has to be used in a 2+1+1 way. Two overs in the powerplay, then the 11th over, and then the 19th or 20th over. He should not bowl three in the powerplay. The problem is India play only two pacers, so they fear giving spinners the ball in the powerplay," Srikkanth said.

He added: "Against Pakistan, India should give the ball to spinners early. I don’t trust Axar Patel much in the powerplay compared to Kuldeep and Varun, because Axar bowls flat. But Axar can also get a wicket, as Pakistan may try to slog him. The theory that left-arm spinners can’t bowl to left-handers is wrong. Axar has taken many left-handers out in his career."

Bumrah has not been at his best in this Asia Cup, but he still has five wickets in four matches with an average of 22 and an economy of 7.33.