Former Team IndiaRavichandran Ashwin has criticised Asia Cups’ standard as the 38-year-old feels the Men in Blue are too strong for their rival sides. In the last 10 years, four Asia Cup editions have
been held in which three have been won by India while Sri Lanka only bagged the title only once in 2023. Pakistan used to be a formidable side during the 2000s in the continental tournament but their standard has also plummeted as they have only one game against their arch-rivals in the last 10 years of the Asia Cup. Bangladesh and Afghanistan have raised their standard but they haven’t upset India in big games.
Raising the issue of imbalance between India and other teams, Ashwin has said that the Asia Cup can’t be called the stage for other teams to gear up for the T20 World Cup 2026 to be held in India and Sri Lanka. “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. 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?” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
Ravichandran Ashwin believes in-form Afghanistan can’t pass the India challenge
Ravichandran Ashwin also went on to say that Afghanistan, who beat Hong Kong by 94 runs in the opening match, might not succeed in posing a threat to India. “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,” added Ashwin.
In the Asia Cup 2025, India are placed in Group A, with Oman, Pakistan, and the UAE. India have started their campaign with an emphatic nine-wicket win over UAE and they will look to get the better of Pakistan on September 14, to reach the Super 4 round.
.jpeg)
