'This is some Popatwadi team': Sunil Gavaskar blasts Pakistan after India humiliate them in Asia Cup

NEW DELHI: Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar did not mince his words after India’s thumping seven-wicket win over Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Watching the neighbours collapse for 127/9 before India chased down the target in just 15.5 overs, Gavaskar delivered one of his sharpest ever assessments of a Pakistan side.

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Speaking on the official broadcast post-match, Gavaskar said Pakistan’s performance was a far cry from the proud legacy of their cricketing history.



“I don’t know whether Ajay [Jadeja], Irfan [Pathan] and Veeru [Sehwag] will agree with me or not. But I have been watching Pakistan’s team since 1960, when I used to run from Churchgate station to Brabourne Stadium to see Hanif Mohammad sahab. And this time in this match, for the first time after years, I felt that this is not Pakistan’s team, this is some Popatwadi team,” Gavaskar remarked.

His scathing words came after Pakistan batters looked completely clueless against India’s spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy. The three bowlers combined to strangle Pakistan with 63 dot balls, leaving their innings in tatters. Kuldeep was the standout with 3/18, his wrist-spin leaving batters groping.

Even legendary Pakistan all-rounder Wasim Akram admitted Pakistan’s struggles against Kuldeep. Speaking on Sony Sports, he said: “It’s just the way he bowls. They can’t read him. Sunny bhai himself said, unless and until you read him from the hand, you won’t be able to understand that type of bowling. When they sweep against Kuldeep every second ball, it means you are not reading him.”

Akram lamented the approach of younger Pakistan batters, including Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, and skipper Salman Ali Agha. “Pakistan played 63 dot balls — that’s just over 10 overs of dots. It’s sad to see such talented players fail to pick their bowlers, read the situation. Everyone was chasing a strike rate of 150,” he added.

India’s chase was spearheaded by captain Suryakumar Yadav, who turned 35 on the day and remained unbeaten on 47. Abhishek Sharma’s fiery 31 off 13 balls set the tone before India sealed the win with a commanding six.

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