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The Indian team is certainly one of the heavyweights among all the cricketing nations. Their domination across formats for last several decades is nothing short of outstanding. When it comes to playing in the Asia Cup, India have won the coveted title for a record number of eight times. They have entered the Asia Cup 2025, the T20 version of the continental competition, with a hope to extend their record tally.
However, there have been seasons where the Men in Blue haven't lived up to their reputation
in the tournament's history. Their most recent drubbing came during 2022, when they failed to qualify for the finals for the first time in the shortest format of the game, as the Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka emerged as the ultimate champions that year.
Meanwhile, let us have a look at the three worst performances of the Indian team in Asia Cup history by season.
Ranking India’s worst Asia Cup campaigns in history
3. Asia Cup 2000
The Indians got off to a flying start in the tournament opener against Bangladesh, winning the clash by eight wickets on the back of a fantastic century by skipper Sourav Ganguly. However, the team took the beating at the hands of the Sri Lankans in the next clash held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka. The Lankans defeated India by a massive 71-run margin, courtesy of Sanath Jayasuriya’s all-round brilliance.
At the same venue, India faced the arch-rivals Pakistan in a do-or-die encounter and were put in to bowl first. Mohammad Yousuf smashed a terrific century, as the Men in Green posted 295 for the loss of seven wickets. In a must-win clash, the Indians lost four wickets after just 14 overs. Ajay Jadeja was the lone warrior from thereon, and lack of support meant the side was bundled out for 251, handing the Pakistanis a 44-run victory.
2. Asia Cup 2014
Playing at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah, India opened their 2014 campaign against hosts Bangladesh and skipper Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 136 guided India to a comfortable win, marking a perfect start to their season. However, the Men in Blue were at the helm of consecutive losses in last-over thrillers against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, respectively, which had ruled them out of the tournament,
Facing Afghanistan in a dead rubber contest, India gained a bonus point for their easy chase against the Mohammad Nabi-led side. Although it was not going to be enough, as the dreams to make it to the finals were all but over for the Men in Blue, ending their campaign on a disappointing note.
1. Asia Cup 2022
Playing the T20 tournament for the second time, India entered the Asia Cup 2022 with high hopes as a preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup that year. Virat Kohli was at the peak of his form, scoring his first-ever T20I century as well. He also top-scored for the Indians with 276 runs at an astonishing average of 92.00.
Despite winning both the games in the group stages, the Super Fours saw the Rohit Sharma-led side face a couple of losses on the trot — first against Sri Lanka followed by a five-wicket loss to Pakistan. The last Super Fours game against Afghanistan was then won by the side with a 101-run margin, but to no avail. This had eventually ruled them out of the tournament, as the Lankan Lions were up against the Men in Green in the summit clash.
