Former cricket star Mohammad Kaif thinks India needs fresh tactics soon. The ex-Indian batter warns India about missing a third all-rounder player. He believes this gap could create problems during important tournament matches. Asia Cup 2025 starts without Ravindra Jadeja, who retired after the T20 World Cup 2024.
Kaif remembers how India won the T20 World Cup recently with balance. Three all-rounders helped the team win the major championship trophy successfully. Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Jadeja gave the captain many options. Each player could bat well and bowl effectively during matches.
Now India has only two all-rounders for the upcoming Asian tournament. Washington Sundar sits on the bench as a standby player currently.
Missing Third All-Rounder Creates Team Balance Issues
The ex-Indian batter warns India that two all-rounders might not provide enough. Jadeja’s retirement left a big hole in the team combination, clearly. The spinning all-rounder could bat at number seven and bowl overs.
“Rohit’s team won the T20 World Cup with 3 all-rounders – Axar, Jadeja, Hardik – and that meant 6 proper bowling options and batting till 8. At the Asia Cup, with only 2 genuine all-rounders – Hardik and Axar – India will have to find a new winning combination. Washington Sundar will be missed,” Kaif wrote on X.
Kaif explains how three all-rounders gave the captain flexibility during matches. The team could adjust bowling plans based on pitch conditions easily. Extra batting depth helped India chase big scores confidently, too.
Current captain Suryakumar Yadav must find new ways to balance his team. Coach Gautam Gambhir also needs to create different match strategies quickly.
New Leadership Faces Different Challenges
Suryakumar Yadav leads India’s T20 team after Rohit Sharma stepped down. The new captain brings his own style of aggressive cricket. Gambhir coaches the team through this transition period with fresh ideas.
Both leaders must adapt to the Asia Cup 2025 without experienced all-rounders available. The squad includes talented players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah. Young cricketers will get chances to prove their tournament abilities.
Strategy Innovation Becomes Essential Now
The ex-Indian batter warns India must think creatively about team selection. Different pitch conditions across Asia require smart planning from management. Pure batsmen and bowlers need to contribute extra skills sometimes.
Kaif suggests trying new batting orders or bowling combinations during practice. The team has enough talent to overcome this all-rounder shortage.
