“He will always be there in my playing XI” - Irfan Pathan has a piece of advice for Team India ahead of Asia Cup 2025 final

Former Indian all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has suggested that India should go ahead with the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in the grand finale of the Asia Cup 2025 campaign on Sunday, September 28, in Dubai.

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Speaking on Sony Sports Network, the former all-rounder, Irfan, asserted that when the pressure is on, Arshdeep has the capability of bowling yorkers in tandem with his fellow colleague Jasprit Bumrah in the death overs.

"First things first, he's like an ice. When the pressure is on, he asks for the ball and bowls. In the end overs, he is ready to bowl his yorkers. He bowls yorkers in tandem with Jasprit Bumrah [when both play together]. He is a bowler of that quality. For me, it's nothing new. I have been saying from the first day that he should be in the playing XI,” Irfan Pathan said on Sony Sports Network.

"There are situations when you need yorkers from both ends. Today, the match went on till the very end. But the Indian team's thinking is that we need a long batting line-up. So, Shivam Dube is playing as an all-rounder. Since he is playing, Arshdeep is not finding a place. He will always be there in my playing XI," he added.

In the dead rubber Super Four clash between India and Sri Lanka, the Men In Blue brought in Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, replacing Shivam Dube and Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI.

Delving into the details of the game between India and Sri Lanka, the former batted first and posted an imposing total of 202/5 in 20 overs. Opener Abhishek Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief, smacking 61 runs in 31 balls. 

In the chase, Sri Lanka took the game to the Super Over, courtesy of Pathum Nissanka's (107) and Kusal Perera's (58). Nevertheless, India went on to win the Super Over quite comfortably, staying unbeaten in the campaign.

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