Former Indian cricketer Nikhil Chopra recently shared his thoughts on Pakistan’s current cricketing phase. He highlighted that the team is undergoing a significant transition, especially after major players were dropped from their T20I squad.

With Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan no longer part of the setup, Pakistan’s approach looks different. Chopra believes this shift has placed more responsibility on the younger generation to step up and deliver in crucial moments.

Interestingly, the Asia Cup 2025 marks one of the rare occasions where Pakistan are not entering as one of the tournament favourites. Instead, they arrive with lowered expectations, which Chopra feels could work in their favour.

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Nikhil Chopra Shared His Thoughts on Pakistan’s Current Cricketing Phase:

Salman Ali Agha has stepped up to lead a fresh-looking Pakistan squad filled with young talent. The side now features exciting players like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, and Hasan Nawaz, all determined to showcase their skills on the global stage.

Despite the changes, a few experienced names continue to provide stability. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf remain the pace spearheads, while Fakhar Zaman brings depth to the batting order. These seasoned campaigners have held onto their places, ensuring that Pakistan’s evolving squad still carries a blend of youthful energy and valuable experience as they transition into a new era.

Nikhil Chopra pointed out the difference between Pakistan’s current T20 team and the legendary squad of the 1990s. He stressed that the present generation still lacks the star power and widespread recognition that their iconic predecessors commanded during their prime, leaving a noticeable gap in stature and identity for today’s players.

He said, “ And no disrespect to the Pakistan side, but if you look at their team and ask any kid on the streets to name their top three or top four players, some of these kids, even die-hard cricket fans who follow the T20 format, won’t know the names. But if you ask them about the ’90s cricket heroes from Pakistan, they’ll remember.”

The Former Cricketer Praised India’s Squad:

The former cricketer-turned-commentator praised India’s squad, emphasizing that every player is a proven match-winner, with IPL performances backing their credentials. He also pointed out Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion, noting it reflected the selectors’ difficult decisions when leaving out such an immensely talented youngster, showcasing the depth and competitiveness within the current Indian cricket setup.

He further said, “ The difference is, when you look at the 11 or you look at the 15 for India, there are match winners, experienced players, and world-beating stars. The Indian team, whether you view it from an IPL perspective or in terms of T20 performances, is stacked with talent. Somebody like Yashasvi Jaiswal has not even got an opportunity in the 15, so you can imagine the good headache Ajit Agarkar and the rest of the team management have.”

Former India cricketer Nikhil Chopra has observed that the current Pakistan squad does not enjoy the same recognition among fans as it did in the 1990s. His remarks come ahead of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Speaking to NDTV, the 51-year-old highlighted the depth of both sides, noting that India is finding it challenging to accommodate players like Yashasvi Jaiswal in their squad, while even avid T20 followers might struggle to name Pakistan’s top players today.

Chopra said, “And no disrespect to the Pakistan side, but if you look at their team and ask any kid on the streets to name their top three or top four players, some of these kids, even die-hard cricket fans who follow the T20 format, won’t know the names. But if you ask them about the ’90s cricket heroes from Pakistan, they’ll remember.”

India’s Strength, Dew Factor Could Play a Role

He added, “The difference is, when you look at the 11 or you look at the 15 for India, there are match winners, experienced players, and world-beating stars. The Indian team, whether you view it from an IPL perspective or in terms of T20 performances, is stacked with talent. Somebody like Yashasvi Jaiswal has not even got an opportunity in the 15, so you can imagine the good headache Ajit Agarkar and the rest of the team management have.”

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Chopra also pointed out that dew might favor India, as Pakistan could struggle with their four-spinner attack. “You might see some subtle dew, and if there is subtle dew, then, you know, I won’t be surprised if Team India would want to go out there and chase just to make sure that the ball will skid on, and then the spinners find it really tough to get any sort of turn on that surface. And if they are (Men in Green) playing just that one medium-pacer, they’ll find it even tougher with the four spinners that they’re looking to play. If there’s dew, it’ll be tougher for them. It is 70-30 in favor of India,” he added.

Historically, the two teams have met in 13 T20Is, with India dominating the head-to-head record, winning nine matches, while Pakistan has claimed three victories, and one game ended in a tie.