Team India Set for Asia Cup 2025, but No. 8 Spot Remains a Worry

The build-up to the Asia Cup 2025 has shown that India look ready with a balanced squad. The batting is powerful and the bowling has variety. The fielding unit is sharp and the bench strength looks deep. Yet one issue continues to stand out. The No 8 batting spot still does not have a clear answer.

Top Order Looks Reliable

India’s top order has been the strongest part of the team in recent years. The current lineup shows why.

• Rohit Sharma brings experience and calm
• Shubman Gill adds timing and class
• Virat Kohli gives stability and chase control

This group gives India strong starts and confidence. They handle pressure and build platforms for the rest of the batting order.

Middle Order Adds Firepower

The middle order gives India balance and aggression. Players in these slots have shown ability to adjust.

• Shreyas Iyer brings control against spin
• Suryakumar Yadav offers 360 stroke play
• KL Rahul adds flexibility and wicketkeeping cover
• Hardik Pandya supplies all-round skills with hitting and bowling

This mix makes India’s middle overs dangerous. They can push totals higher and break tough run chases.

Spin Attack Gives India an Edge

The spin attack is one of India’s biggest strengths. Playing in Asian conditions brings even more value.

• Ravindra Jadeja provides control with ball and stability with bat
• Kuldeep Yadav brings wrist spin and variations
• Axar Patel supports with accuracy and lower-order runs

This trio covers different roles. They can tie down batters and take key wickets in the middle phase of the game.

Pace Battery Looks Complete

India’s pace attack looks as strong as the batting. The fast bowlers bring speed and skill.

• Jasprit Bumrah leads with yorkers and sharp pace
• Mohammed Shami strikes early with swing
• Mohammed Siraj adds aggression with seam movement
• Arshdeep Singh strengthens the left-arm angle

Together they can attack in the powerplay and close the death overs with control. The variety makes them one of the most feared pace groups in the tournament.

The No 8 Problem

Despite all this strength the No 8 slot is still a question. India needs a player who can bowl full spells and also bat with confidence in crunch moments.

The options so far have not fixed the issue.

• Shardul Thakur can hit but his bowling has been inconsistent
• Washington Sundar brings spin but lacks finishing power
• Deepak Chahar adds swing but his batting is not fully proven

At No 8 the team needs someone who can stay calm under pressure. This balance has not yet been found. That gap can hurt in close matches where a few runs at the back make all the difference.

Bench Strength

India’s bench strength still gives them hope. Several players can step up if needed.

• Rinku Singh adds finishing skill
• Tilak Varma brings youth and left-hand variety
• Prasidh Krishna adds pace options
• Sanju Samson provides batting depth and keeping cover

The bench keeps the squad flexible but the No 8 debate continues to stay open.

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What Lies Ahead

India entered the Asia Cup as one of the top contenders. They have batting depth and a bowling unit that can win games. The team is balanced in almost every department.

The one gap is the No 8 slot. A strong all-rounder in that position would make the squad complete. The management will watch closely to see who can step into the role before the knockout stage.

If India solve this one issue they will become the most complete team in the tournament. Until then opponents may see No 8 as a weak point to attack.