Page 43 - The Indian EYE 092625

STUMP VISION SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 | The Indian Eye 43

ASIA CUP

Rivalry or Routine: India Writes

the Script; Pakistan Just Reads It!

ARCHAN MEHTA

ften hyped, India vs Pakistan
in T20s is like a Bollywood
Oblockbuster but the twist is
that India always plays the hero while
Pakistan keeps getting typecast as the
sidekick. From the very first clash in
Durban 2007, which ended in a tie
and a famous bowl-out, India have
largely dictated terms. Out of the 14
matches before today, India had won
10, Pakistan just 3, with one tie. With Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav plays a shot during the Asia Cup 2025 match against Pakistan,
this latest win in Dubai, that margin
stretches to 11-3 less a rivalry and at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Sunday (ANI)
more a record of dominance.
That dominance has been de- the same pattern repeated itself. In- unreliable when you need it most. rah’s deathly precision, while the bat-
fined by big-match moments and dia’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav’s India’s response, in contrast, ting is evolving with fresh aggression
standout performances. Gautam wizardry, once again squeezed Paki- was both ruthless and effortless. from Abhishek Sharma alongside
Gambhir’s gritty knock in the 2007 stan dry. Kuldeep’s 3 for 18, Axar Abhishek Sharma tore into Shaheen Gill and SKY’s consistency so far in
World Cup final, Virat Kohli’s iconic Patel’s sharp 2 for 18, and Bumrah’s Afridi with a four and six off the first this year’s Asia Cup. Pakistan, mean-
82 at Melbourne in 2022*, and Rohit surgical strikes reduced Pakistan two balls of the chase, blasting 31 while, faces uncomfortable ques-
Sharma’s effortless fifties in crunch to 127/9. Even Varun Chakravar- off 13 to kill any suspense. Suryaku- tions. Without the Babar-Rizwan
encounters all stand out as markers thy joined the party, while Pakistan mar Yadav played his part with an cushion, their batting is fragile and
of India’s composure under pressure. consumed a staggering 63 dot balls, unbeaten 40*. India reached the lacks structure, and their over-reli-
For Pakistan, their 10-wicket thrash- essentially throwing away half an in- target in 15.5 overs, with 60 runs in ance on Shaheen with the ball makes
ing of India in Dubai 2021 remains the nings without scoring. the Powerplay making it look like them predictable. Unless Pakistan
outlier, powered by Shaheen Afridi’s With the bat, Pakistan looked as a casual net session rather than the revamp roles, trust their middle or-
dream spell. But if Afridi’s fire was a brittle as ever. Sahibzada Farhan top- sport’s most hyped rivalry. It was less der, and back more spinners in UAE
one-night show, India’s batters and scored with 40, but his 44-ball crawl a chase, more a statement: India are conditions, they will continue to play
bowlers have built a series of block- drained all momentum. Captain operating on a different level alto- catch-up. For now, this “great rival-
busters, turning encounters into mas- Salman Agha scratched out 3 off 12, gether. IPL has to be given a lot of ry” feels one-sided. India treats it
terclasses in planning and execution. while Mohammad Haris’ intent wilt- credit due to the sheer pressure sit- like business as usual; Pakistan keeps
This contrast between India’s ed against Bumrah’s pace. Shaheen uations it creates which builds intent calling it do-or-die but the script
clarity and Pakistan’s chaos has re- Afridi’s late flourish (33* off 16) only and character of Indian players. rarely changes.
mained the story of this rivalry. Pa- made the scorecard look slightly less Looking ahead, India appears Archan Mehta is a writer ded-
kistan often brings mercurial unpre- grim, but it did little to disguise the frighteningly well-balanced. Their icated to telling compelling stories
dictability; India leaves with points. larger issue. Once again, Pakistan’s bowling attack has the perfect blend about athletes, teams, and the world
And in the 2025 Asia Cup in Dubai, middle order was like hotel Wi-Fi — of spin tri-strangulation and Bum- of cricket

www.TheIndianEYE.com