India captain Suryakumar Yadav kept his focus grounded ahead of the historic Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan on Sunday, September 28, at Dubai International Stadium.
Speaking after India’s Super Over win against Sri Lanka on September 26, he downplayed the hype, saying, “Let’s have a good recovery tonight. Let’s not think about the final right now. A few boys had cramps today. Have a good recovery day tomorrow, and we’ll turn up the same way.”
The India-Pakistan clash marks the first time the arch-rivals will meet in an Asia Cup final across ODI and T20I formats. India, unbeaten in the tournament, defeated Pakistan twice earlier, while Pakistan reached the final with an 11-run win over Bangladesh. Despite Pakistan’s inconsistent run, the final resets the stakes, promising a high-octane battle.
Suryakumar Yadav spits facts : Ind vs Pak is not a rivalry anymore, over 10-15 matches if the score is 13-0 then the gap is too large
That is precisely what I have been saying all along, this Asia Cup is useless, we are wasting time with substandard teamspic.twitter.com/VSKk0SCi96
— Sameer (@BesuraTaansane) September 22, 2025
India’s thrilling Super Over victory over Sri Lanka showcased their resilience. Suryakumar praised the team’s character, highlighting middle-order contributions from Sanju Samson (39 off 23) and Tilak Varma (49* off 34), who forged a 66-run stand. Arshdeep Singh’s 2/2 in the Super Over restricted Sri Lanka to two runs, securing the win. However, cramps affected players like Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma, raising minor concerns.
Suryakumar emphasized recovery over hype. “The boys showed great energy. Sanju and Tilak took responsibility, and Arshdeep delivered under pressure,” he said at the post-match presentation. His pragmatic approach reflects India’s preparation for the final, watched by over 70% of cricket fans globally (Nielsen, 2024).
Read: India’s Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya Doubtful for Asia Cup 2025 Final
Suryakumar’s calm mindset amid the India-Pakistan rivalry, one of cricket’s biggest spectacles, underscores his leadership. With India favored but Pakistan unpredictable, his focus on recovery and execution sets the tone. The final could draw record viewership, impacting cricket’s global stage.
Suryakumar Yadav’s down-to-earth response keeps India focused for the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. As the team recovers from cramps, fans await a historic clash.