NEW DELHI– Former opener Virender Sehwag has tipped the Indian team to win the upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup, saying the squad led by Suryakumar Yadav has the “skill, balance, and mindset” to thrive under pressure in Dubai.
India’s 15-member squad, announced Tuesday at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters, includes the return of Shubman Gill, who has been named vice-captain. The lineup also features Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Sanju Samson.
India has lifted the Asia Cup eight times, including the 2016 T20 edition in Bangladesh. Sehwag, speaking through tournament broadcaster Sony Sports Network, said he expects the team to rise to the occasion again. “Asia Cup has always brought out the best in Indian cricket. The team today has the skill, balance, and mindset to handle any challenge,” he said. “Playing in Dubai will be high-pressure, but that’s exactly the kind of stage where our players shine. I am confident India will once again make the nation proud by lifting the trophy.”
India opens its Group A campaign against the UAE on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, before a marquee clash against Pakistan on September 14 at the same venue. Their final group-stage match will be against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. The Super Four stage runs from September 20–26, with the final scheduled for September 28 in Dubai.
Sehwag also shared personal memories from his playing days. “One of my fondest memories of the Asia Cup is walking into the dressing room on match days and feeling the buzz even before stepping onto the field. You could hear the chants outside, feel the energy in every corner. I remember telling my teammates — today we won’t just play a match, we’ll give the fans a day they’ll never forget,” he said.
This 17th edition of the Asia Cup will be India’s first T20 outing since their 4–1 home series win over England in January. The tournament is also seen as vital preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host, with India entering as defending champions. (Source: IANS)
