'Virat Kohli isn't there': Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq warns India ahead of Asia Cup clash

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq believes the upcoming Asia Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan presents a golden chance for Babar Azam’s men. With Virat Kohli no longer in India’s T20I setup, Misbah feels India’s batting line-up looks less daunting if Pakistan’s bowlers can strike early.

“Pakistan definitely have an opportunity here. If they (India) don’t get a good start and lose two wickets, then Virat Kohli isn’t there. Their batting is different too, and they haven’t played much against these bowlers, so Pakistan’s bowling also has an opportunity. If you can create that gap from the top, then you’ll have a chance. But again, the key point is: Pakistan needs a good start,” Misbah told Pakistani media channel Tapmad.


Kohli retired from T20I cricket after guiding India to the T20 World Cup title in Barbados last year, leaving a major void at the No. 3 position.

Since then, India have reshaped their batting core, relying on emerging names like Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma, alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav.

India, however, enter the Pakistan clash on the back of a statement win in their Asia Cup opener.

Kuldeep Yadav’s magical spell of 4/7 and Shivam Dube’s 3/4 bundled out the UAE for just 57 runs, their lowest total against India.

Abhishek Sharma (30 off 16) and Gill (20* off 9) ensured the chase was over in just 4.3 overs, sealing India’s fastest-ever T20I victory.

India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Surya Kumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
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