The countdown to the much-awaited Asia Cup 2025 has begun, and cricket fans across the continent are brimming with excitement. With arch-rivals and regional powerhouses set to lock horns, the tournament promises high-voltage encounters and thrilling performances. India, led by a new coaching setup under Gautam Gambhir, are preparing to stamp their authority on the competition. The return of star players and the presence of proven match-winners have already sparked debates about who could make the difference for the Men in Blue this time around.
Murali Kartik picks two X Factors for India
Former India spinner Murali Kartik has weighed in on the team’s prospects, identifying two names he believes could define India’s campaign in the Asia Cup. The ex-spinner named Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah as his picks, emphasizing their respective impact in batting and bowling for India’s T20 setup. He pointed out that just as Bumrah is the go-to match-winner with the ball, Suryakumar has redefined India’s batting approach with his aggressive stroke play and fearless intent.
Kartik also highlighted that Suryakumar’s current form will be closely watched in the Asia Cup, especially with the T20 World Cup not far away. Moreover, with Gambhir now in charge as head coach, the bond between player and coach will also come under scrutiny, adding another layer of interest to how Suryakumar performs in this high-pressure tournament.
“Suryakumar Yadav, he is the X factor along with Jasprit Bumrah. What Jasprit Bumrah is to bowling, he is to batting in T20 for India. And he has been brilliant, and that is one of the reasons why he was the leading batter in T20 internationals. But his own form, and also keeping in mind that the T20 World Cup is going to be back, also again his own alliance with Gautam Gambhir, and all of that will be in scrutiny or under scrutiny in this Asia Cup,” said Kartik while speaking on Cricbuzz.
Also READ: Asia Cup 2025 Squads: Complete list of players for all 8 teams
Kartik on why star pacer’s comeback is a blessing for Team India
Kartik further shifted focus to Bumrah’s return, labeling it as a massive advantage for India. Calling him a “wonder kid” and “genius” he stresses that Bumrah’s presence elevates any team he plays for. Kartik reminded fans that Bumrah’s last T20 international was the World Cup final, and since then, he has been outstanding in franchise and international cricket, averaging just 14.29 with the ball across 35 games since 2023. Kartik reckoned Bumrah’s comeback is not just about statistics but about the confidence and balance he brings to the bowling unit, making him the most valuable asset in India’s Asia Cup campaign.
“Boom boom is back and I think it’s a big big value addition. We all know what a wonder kid he is, what a genius of a bowler he is, and every time he plays in any side he is the bowler to look out for. Think of this, his last T20 game was the World Cup final and since 2023, he has played 35 T20s. His average is 14.29. His comeback means the world to the Indian bowling lineup,” added Kartik.
Stunning numbers of India’s X factors
The statistics of Kartik’s picks underline why both players are regarded so highly. Suryakumar, in just 83 T20 internationals, has scored 2,598 runs at a breathtaking strike rate of 167.07. His tally includes four centuries, 21 half-centuries, 146 sixes, and 237 boundaries — numbers that make him the most dynamic T20 batter in the world today.
On the bowling front, Bumrah’s record speaks for itself. In 70 T20Is, the pacer has bagged 89 wickets with a best of 3/7 and a miserly economy rate of 6.27. Such figures underline his consistency and his ability to deliver under pressure, regardless of conditions or opponents.
