India B Team Can Beat Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025, Says Atul Wassan

The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September 14, 2025, in Dubai, has reignited one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. Amidst the buzz, former Indian bowler Atul Wassan made a bold statement, claiming that even India’s B team could defeat Pakistan, signaling a shift in the balance of power between the two cricketing nations. With cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma absent from the T20I format following their retirements after the 2024 T20 World Cup victory, India’s youthful squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to dominate. Wassan’s remarks, echoed by former spinner Piyush Chawla, highlight the depth of talent in Indian cricket, suggesting that the team has seamlessly transitioned into a new era without its legendary stars.

Atul Wassan’s Bold Prediction

Speaking on CNN-News18, Atul Wassan, a former Indian fast bowler who played in the 1990s, expressed confidence in India’s current T20 squad, stating, “India’s B team will also beat this Pakistan team because things have changed. When we played in the 90s, they were a very good side. Now the boot is on the other foot. I will not miss Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli) because then I will start missing Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev also.” Wassan’s comments reflect a belief that India’s second-string team possesses the firepower to outclass Pakistan, a team that has undergone significant changes since their last encounter in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Wassan further emphasized the depth of India’s talent pool, describing it as an “embarrassment of riches” for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors. He added, “The king is dead, long live the king. Things move, new superstars come in, and I feel sorry for the selectors because to keep everyone in the mix because who’s to drop and who’s to pick.” This sentiment underscores the emergence of young stars like Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma, who have stepped up to fill the void left by Kohli and Sharma, ensuring India remains a formidable force in T20 cricket.

Piyush Chawla on India’s Seamless Transition

Echoing Wassan’s confidence, former Indian spinner Piyush Chawla praised the current Indian T20 team for its resilience and depth. “If you look at the current Indian team, the number of games that they have won post the Rohit and Kohli era in T20 cricket, they are doing a wonderful job,” Chawla said on CNN-News18. He highlighted the team’s ability to perform without key players like Arshdeep Singh, who, despite being among the top five T20 bowlers globally, has faced challenges securing a spot in the playing XI due to fierce competition.

Chawla dismissed the notion that India is in a transition phase, arguing that the squad’s experience in high-pressure tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) has prepared them for international challenges. “This team looks really set, and you always miss these kinds of players. But this is the part and parcel of the game. One has to come and then go. We can’t even say that this team is going through a transition period, because if you see all the players in this squad, they have so much experience,” he noted. The IPL, with its intense competition and global viewership, has been instrumental in grooming players like Suryakumar Yadav, who has led India to 18 wins in 22 T20I matches as captain, and Abhishek Sharma, who boasts a strike rate of 193.84.

India’s New-Look Squad for Asia Cup 2025

India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025, led by Suryakumar Yadav with Shubman Gill as vice-captain, is a blend of youth and experience. Key players include Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, who recently returned to T20Is after a prolonged injury break. The team’s depth is evident in its bowling attack, featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Arshdeep Singh, alongside all-rounders like Axar Patel and Shivam Dube. India’s emphatic nine-wicket victory over the UAE in their opening match on September 10, 2025, showcased their dominance, with Kuldeep Yadav claiming four wickets and Abhishek Sharma scoring a brisk 30 off 16 balls.

The absence of Kohli and Sharma, who retired after leading India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title, has not diminished the team’s confidence. Kohli, with 4,042 runs in 117 T20Is, and Sharma, the format’s leading run-scorer with 4,231 runs, were pivotal to India’s success. However, the emergence of players like Shubman Gill, who has taken on a leadership role, and Abhishek Sharma, the world’s No. 1 T20I batter, has ensured continuity. The team’s recent 4-1 T20I series win against England in January 2025 further demonstrates their readiness for the Asia Cup challenge.

Pakistan’s Struggles and Squad Changes

Pakistan, under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, enters the Asia Cup 2025 with a revamped squad, missing stalwarts like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The team has faced challenges, including a recent 18-run loss to Afghanistan in a tri-series in Sharjah, raising questions about their form. Players like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and young talents such as Hasan Nawaz and Sufiyan Muqeem will be crucial for Pakistan’s campaign. However, Wassan’s assertion that India’s B team could overpower Pakistan reflects a perceived gap in current team strengths, with India holding a historical edge in Asia Cup encounters, winning 10 out of 19 matches against Pakistan.

The absence of Babar and Rizwan, coupled with a change in coaching staff and captaincy, has added uncertainty to Pakistan’s preparations. Despite their recent tri-series win against Afghanistan and the UAE, Pakistan’s inconsistent performances contrast with India’s robust form, fueling optimism among Indian fans and analysts like Wassan and Chawla.

The India-Pakistan Rivalry in Asia Cup 2025

The India vs Pakistan match on September 14, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is the marquee fixture of the Asia Cup group stage. Historically, these clashes have drawn massive global viewership, with the rivalry transcending sport due to geopolitical tensions. However, the 2025 edition has faced criticism for lacking star power, with ticket sales reportedly sluggish due to the absence of Kohli, Sharma, Babar, and Rizwan, alongside high prices and extreme heat in the UAE. Despite this, the match remains a blockbuster event, with the potential for additional encounters in the Super Four stage on September 21 or the final on September 28, 2025.

India’s dominance in recent T20Is, with only three losses in their last 20 matches since the 2024 World Cup, positions them as favorites. Their bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, who has returned to peak form, and Kuldeep Yadav, who recently dismantled the UAE, gives India a significant edge. Pakistan, meanwhile, relies on Shaheen Afridi’s pace and the spin of Sufiyan Muqeem to challenge India’s explosive batting lineup, which includes Suryakumar Yadav, who maintains a strike rate of 167, and Hardik Pandya, known for his match-finishing prowess.

The Role of IPL in Shaping India’s Talent

The IPL’s role in nurturing India’s young talent cannot be overstated. Chawla emphasized that the high-pressure environment of the IPL has equipped players to handle international challenges. “When you play a tournament like the IPL, when the standards are so high, you know how to handle the pressure. How to hold your nerves in those difficult situations,” he said. Players like Abhishek Sharma, who has scored 535 runs in 17 T20Is at a strike rate of 193.84, and Tilak Varma, known for his aggressive batting, have honed their skills in the IPL, making them ready for the Asia Cup’s high-stakes encounters.

The IPL’s global appeal has also attracted top international talent, elevating the tournament’s competitiveness and providing Indian players with exposure to diverse playing styles. This experience has translated into international success, with India’s current squad boasting a wealth of match-winners who thrive under pressure, ensuring that the team remains a powerhouse despite the absence of its biggest names.