 "Asia Cup: ‘Shubman Gill deserves to be in the T20i team, won’t be surprised if he’s made skipper in all formats: Fmr cricketer Ajay Mehra")
It has been quite interesting to follow the Asia Cup of cricket over the last four editions. The 2016 edition was the first one that was played in the T20I format and since then, the format of the tournament has changed depending on which World Cup is around the corner. The T20I format, of course, increases the chances of upsets. The current edition is being played in the shortest format and for the first time there are eight teams participating – up from the previous marker of six teams for the 2019, 2022 and 2023 editions. Will we see a few big upsets this time, or will it be all smooth sailing for the ‘big boys’ of Asian cricket in the UAE this time?
Apart from the world number 1-ranked T20I team, India (who are also the defending champions and official hosts) and their traditional arch-rivals, Pakistan, who are ranked as low as 7th in the ICC team rankings. The other teams to watch out for are, of course, Afghanistan (ranked 9th in the world currently), who have steadily climbed up the T20I ladder over the last few years and the team that won the Asia Cup the last time it was played in the T20I format – Sri Lanka (ranked 8th in the world currently).
Apart from these four teams, Bangladesh was the other team that qualified directly for the tournament and these teams have been joined by the likes of UAE, Oman and Hong Kong – the top three teams in the 2024 Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s Premier Cup.
Also Read | Asia Cup 2025 Squads: Full list of teams, players, schedule and live streaming
India have fielded a full-strength squad, with Test captain Shubman Gill returning to the T20I set-up as vice-captain and that of course has been quite a big talking point for a while now. What message does that really send out if one has to read between the lines? Is Shubman the next ODI captain too and maybe the all-format captain, soon? Also, what is the true relevance of the Asia Cup at a time when there is just so much cricket being played?
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTo answer these questions and more, we spoke exclusively to former cricketer Ajay Mehra, who played for Punjab and Rajasthan in domestic cricket, in a career spanning 46 First Class matches and 13 List A games. Mr. Mehra, who has been a cricket commentator for many years now, has also covered matches in the UAE extensively and understands the conditions there very well.
This is part one of an exclusive interview with Ajay Mehra.
Let’s begin with the conditions in the UAE. You have covered a lot of the matches there as a commentator. At this time of the year, what kind of conditions can we expect?
Ajay Mehra: I feel it is going to be spin-friendly. The spinners will definitely have a big role to play and that is going to be vital. If you look at Pakistan, they just played Afghanistan (in a T20I tri-series also involving the UAE, which Pakistan won by beating Afghanistan in the final by 75 runs. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz took 5/19 in the final, which also included a hat-trick. They have a few new spinners. When it comes to the Indian team, the best part is that they have experienced spinners like Kuldeep (Yadav), Axar (Patel) and Varun Chakaravarthy who have played there and know the conditions there (in the UAE). Normally, it is very dry out there and as the tournament progresses, I feel the spinners will have a huge role to play in the Asia Cup.
All the games start at 6.30 pm UAE time, with one double-header day when the matches will be played at 4 pm and at 6.30 pm UAE time. Do you see the conditions changing quite a bit from the afternoon to the evening, or do they remain pretty much the same?
Ajay Mehra: The afternoon game could see drier conditions. Sometimes what happens in the UAE, especially in Dubai, where I have covered a lot of matches, is that in the evening, a bit of moisture, a bit of dew that comes in, which could be a factor, but maybe not a huge one, because that is occasional. Most of the teams that are participating, especially the likes of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan have quality spinners and spin is going to be a huge factor. But, having said that, the captains will have the dew factor at the back of their minds.
The tournament is being played in the UAE, but the official hosts are India. It was, of course, most feasible to shift the entire tournament out of the country and not have to shuttle to-and-fro, considering India and Pakistan could be playing up to three times against each other. But it is sad, you would say, for the Indian fans who were hoping to catch live action in Indian stadiums?
Ajay Mehra: Yes, but at least the tournament is on, you know. That is the best part. A lot of people might be travelling to Dubai, maybe, because it is not very far off, especially those who really want to see the matches in the stadiums. If the tournament had been held in India, of course, it would have been a different proposition, but I still feel that this (moving the entire tournament to the UAE) was the right call, because at least the tournament is on.
What is your take on the Pakistan conundrum? There are, of course, a lot of factors that need to be taken into account, but given what happened in Pahalgam some time back, do you think the messaging that is going out to the Indian public now is a confusing one? On the one hand, we are cutting off a lot of ties and on the other, when it comes to multi-team sports events, India is playing Pakistan. Should India be playing Pakistan even at a neutral venue? Opinion is really divided on this one. Where do you stand?
Ajay Mehra: It’s entirely up to the government. Whatever the government thinks is appropriate is what will happen. Yes, there was some talk earlier that India might not be playing Pakistan, but the government has given its nod and we have to go with that. For me, as a cricketer, the good thing is that cricket is going on and India vs Pakistan matches are always going to be big.
What is your take on a tournament like the Asia Cup and its relevance? India and Pakistan are still the only two big guns as it were, even though Afghanistan have been doing very well in T20 cricket for a while and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka continue to be dark horses. Most people already kind of know which teams will be in the Super Fours, right, unless there are some massive upsets…
Ajay Mehra: I have been to Oman, to Muscat and seen their national side. They seem to be very impressive. The UAE is also coming up. You have to understand that at a tournament like the Asia Cup, these teams get an opportunity to play against top sides like India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. So, these teams can compete and see where they stand. Secondly, the next T20 World Cup is around the corner (will be held in India and Sri Lanka, likely in Feb-March) and this Asia Cup, therefore, will be great preparation for all these sides.
Also, when it comes to the Asia Cup in the T20 format, of course, you are very right – there are the top teams, but we also all know that in the T20 format, the kind of team that Afghanistan is, they can beat any side. Recently, in the tri-nation series, they beat Pakistan as well (in the 4th match in Sharjah, by 18 runs). So, anything can happen. I think the Asia Cup is a great build-up to the World Cup and for the teams that are coming up, it’s a great opportunity for them as well to test their mettle.
It’s an eight-team tournament this time. What is your take on the tournament format – group stage, followed by Super Fours, then the final?
Ajay Mehra: It’s a good format, because in the World Cup as well, you will have the Super-League matches and that way you can have the quality sides competing against each other. So, it’s a really good format for me
Also, what’s your take on the format of the game changing in the Asia Cup, depending on the next World Cup that’s coming up – from ODI to T20, back to ODI etc. You prefer it that way?
Ajay Mehra: Absolutely. It’s all about preparation. It’s all about the mindset or the kind of teams that the selectors of each nation want to select and also test the bench-strength. For me, I am very happy with this Indian side. The kind of talent we have – which you get to see in the IPL and in the T20Is as well – it’s a very difficult side to pick, as far as T20Is are concerned.
There are so many youngsters, so many quality players – at least 30-35 players (in the pool from which the selectors pick national T20I teams), but at the end of the day, you have to pick only 15, so it’s a difficult job to pick a squad, especially for India, given the talent and the resources we have. So, I think the selectors have done a really good job.
You are happy with the Indian squad that has been picked. India, of course, are the defending champions - the last time in 2023 (ODI format) they bowled out Sri Lanka for 50 in the final and then won the match in 6.1 overs by 10 wickets. What is your take on how challenging it will be for the team management to get the balance of the playing XI right this time?
Ajay Mehra: It will be a challenge, but this is a good headache to have for a side. I feel that all the bases are covered. In the seam department, you have (Jasprit) Bumrah, Arshdeep (Singh), Harshit Rana is back. The spin department looks really good and then you have the part-time bowlers as well, like Abhishek Sharma, who, for me, will be opening the batting along with probably Shubman Gill. Now, if that happens, then someone like Sanju Samson, who has done really well, might have to bat lower down or miss out because Jitesh Sharma might come in (as wicket-keeper). But again, it’s a great headache to have.
You have someone like Tilak Verma, the skipper himself, Suryakumar Yadav – it’s such a good side. But you are absolutely right, it will be a headache to find the right combination. Again, looking at the conditions, India should be going for the spinners. Sides like Afghanistan and Pakistan - they handle spin well, but it will be a challenge for them to face the likes of Kuldeep (Yadav), Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar (Patel). If you see the Pakistan side, they are lacking in experience. There is no Babar Azam, no Mohammed Rizwan, so again (in comparison) this Indian side looks really good.
What did you make of the decision to make Shubman Gill the vice-captain of the squad and what message does that send to someone like Axar Patel, who was vice-captain before this, even though Shubman, of course, was vice-captain before him? But overall, what was the message that went out, to not just Axar, but the entire cricketing fraternity, with Shubman back in the team and in a leadership role?
Ajay Mehra: One – he (Shubman Gill) deserves to be in the Indian T20I side. As you said, he has been a vice-captain before. But just the way he has played in the IPL – averaging 50, the skills he has shown, the kind of captaincy skills he showcased in England (on the recent 5-Test tour). In the long run, if someone like Suryakumar Yadav is not available for whatever reason, then you have a backup and that too a very good captain. We have seen how he has led the Gujarat Titans side in the IPL. He knows his job. Also, at the end of the day, the thinking could also be that he could be the captain in all formats.
We will have to wait and see about that. But as far as the future is concerned, we all know the kind of talent and potential he (Gill) has. His performances really speak for themselves. You want to build a player, you want to build a captain, someone who has been second-in-command and someone who knows his job and someone who can lead the team if the need arises and you need to look at someone, keeping in mind the long run.
Some people, in fact, feel that it’s just a formality that Shubman will be named the ODI captain as well…
Ajay Mehra: He (Gill) deserves it. He has taken his game very seriously. I follow him very closely. He comes from Punjab. He is such a good batter and he has a really calm mind. The way he went to England. Everybody said that it was going to be a tough series, but just look at the way he batted. Also, he soaked up the pressure of captaincy so well. That’s not easy to do, but he has been absolutely brilliant and full marks to him. I won’t be surprised if, in the long run, he (Gill) is the (Indian) skipper in all the formats.
What would then happen to someone like Suryakumar Yadav in the T20I format? Or is this for after SKY retires from the format?
Ajay Mehra: At the moment, the selectors are persisting with him (Suryakumar Yadav) because he is a match-winner, a great player, the X-factor in the side. But you have to understand that form dips can affect anyone. We have to hope that Suryakumar Yadav manages to score runs. You also have to see the age as well.
It’s the T20 format, so you have to get in new ideas, you have to understand the role of every player. It’s not that Suryakumar Yadav will be removed (as captain) right now. But in the long run, you also want to have a backup captaincy option.
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