Asia Cup 2025: ‘Eight overs could perhaps decide this match’ – Ex-India opener feels Chakaravarthy-Kuldeep duo will play key role versus Pakistan

Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav will play a key role in the Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Kuldeep won the Player of the Match award in India’s opening game of the Asia Cup against the UAE after bagging a four-for. Meanwhile, Chakaravarthy has been in exemplary form since returning to the national team last year. The Tamil Nadu spinner finished with magnificent figures of 1/4 in two overs in the last game.

While previewing the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash, Chopra pointed out that Pakistan have had their struggles against wrist spinners.

“From a bowling perspective, I see that India’s two spinners, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, can control the match and also take wickets. Traditionally, Pakistan has not played well against leg-spin. Whether it is left-arm leg-spin or right-arm leg-spin, they struggle. Those eight overs could perhaps decide or define this match,” Chopra said via ESPNcricinfo.

“Both of them will be in focus, and in those eight overs of spin, Mohammad Harris scored runs in the last match, with a half-century to his name. They also have a big name in Fakhar Zaman. So if you can get them out in the middle, then I think the match could quickly swing in India’s favor,” he added.

India have an impressive head-to-head record against Pakistan, winning 10 out of the 13 matches they have played so far. Like India, Pakistan are also coming into this contest on the back of a win. While Suryakumar Yadav and Co. defeated the UAE by nine wickets, Salman Ali Agha’s men started with a 93-run victory against Oman. Both matches were played in Dubai.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been facing considerable backlash from the fans for continuing with the game against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. The craze for tickets has been nowhere near the level of previous meetings between the age-old rivals.