'It will be like a redemption story for him. I will be eager to see...': Irfan Pathan picks Varun Chakravarthy as India's X-factor for Asia Cup 2025

Former India's star all-rounder Irfan Pathan picked India's X-factor while talking about India's team composition for the Asia Cup 2025 which is set to start from September 9. Going against conventional wisdom, which often points to star players like Hardik Pandya or Jasprit Bumrah, Pathan has named a different player as India’s 'X-Factor' in mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy.

Irfan Pathan chooses Varun Chakravarthy as India's X-factor for Asia Cup

Pathan’s reasoning for this choice is rooted in a compelling story of redemption and exceptional form. He believes the Asia Cup is the perfect stage for Varun to bury the ghosts of his last major appearance in the UAE at the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he failed to take a single wicket in three matches.

Pathan’s claim is supported by Varun's exceptional track record after making a comeback to India's fold. Since returning to the national team under coach Gautam Gambhir, Varun, who is now the No. 4-ranked T20I bowler, has taken an astonishing 31 wickets in just 12 matches. His superb form was also a key reason for the Kolkata Knight Riders' success in the 2025 IPL campaign, where he led the team in wickets with 17 in 13 matches, boasting an average of 22.53 and an economy rate of 7.66.

“I am eager to see how Varun Chakaravarthy performs, because it will be kind of like a redemption story for him. He was there in that 2021 WC in the UAE and he did not do well, so I will have an eye on him because he is in solid form now, and he is confident. So out of all these names, to choose one, I’ll go with Varun,” Pathan said during a conversation in Sony Sports Network.

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Pathan also detailed what he considers to be the ideal bowling and batting lineup for Team India. He stressed on the significant advantage of having two exceptional all-rounders in Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. Their ability to bat within the top seven and contribute a full quota of four overs each gives the team "the freedom to set any bowling combination that you want."

For his preferred bowling attack, Pathan selected a pace trio of Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh. In a surprising move, he proposed a unique spin combination that would potentially exclude some established players. He notably left out wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav from his ideal combination, suggesting instead that Abhishek Sharma could provide a viable part-time left-arm spin option if required.

“The final combination might be determined by the kind of pitches and dew, but I would go with Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma,” Pathan signed off.

India will start their Asia Cup campaign against UAE on September 10 before locking horns with Pakistan on September 14. India's last group-stage match will be against Oman on September 19.

India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025:

Suryakumar 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
Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel