Former Indian opener Sadagopan Ramesh criticized Pakistan’s batting approach in T20Is after their loss to India in the 2025 Asia Cup final on September 28. He pointed out that their style was outdated and ineffective against modern T20 strategies.
India used only four regular bowlers in the final, with Shivam Dube as the fifth option, yet Pakistan failed to take advantage. Dube bowled three overs, including two in the powerplay, conceding just 23 runs.
Pakistan’s innings collapsed from 113/1 in the 13th over to being all out for 146. On his YouTube channel, Ramesh highlighted the gap in batting quality between India and Pakistan, stressing the need for Pakistan to modernize their approach.
“When Pakistan kept losing wickets from 113/1, they never changed their method. They kept playing for boundaries and sixes without ever assessing the situation. Pakistan batters also lack the unorthodox shots needed in T20 cricket. All they do is attempt slogs over long on and deep mid-wicket. They played Shivam Dube’s bowling in the powerplay like it was Hardik Pandya bowling.”
He added:
“This is where India are different. Based on the situation, they ran ones and twos and only when they were out of trouble, they went for the big shots. Indian batters also played the unconventional shots. T20 requires evolved thinking but Pakistan continue to play outdated cricket.”
India’s run chase started off poorly, as they lost three quick wickets during the powerplay. But Tilak Varma’s middle-order stabilized the ship and accelerated just in time to enable India win the last over.
India Clinches Record Ninth Asia Cup Title with Continued Dominance Over Pakistan
Team India has been dominant over Pakistan in recent years, including three wins in the 2025 Asia Cup. Since losing to Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup, India has won the next eight completed matches against their rivals, including five consecutive T20I victories, two of which came in World Cups.
The Asia Cup 2025 win also took India’s total titles to nine, extending their record. Sri Lanka follow with six titles, while Pakistan have won the tournament only twice.
India’s dominance in T20Is is clear, having won 35 of their last 38 matches since the 2024 season.
