Batting great Sunil Gavaskar offered advice to Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the crucial Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. Gavaskar recommended that Suryakumar take a few initial deliveries to assess the pitch conditions in the middle before launching into his natural, aggressive game.
Gavaskar has an advice for Suryakumar Yadav ahead of Asia Cup final
The 35-year-old batter's current form in the Asia Cup has been modest, with him scoring just 71 runs in five innings at an average of 23.66 and a strike rate of 107.57. His individual scores in the tournament include 7, 47, 0, 5, and 12. This output stands in stark contrast to his stellar IPL 2025 performance, where he amassed 717 runs at a phenomenal average of 65.18 and a strike rate of 167.91. On Friday, Suryakumar scored 12 off 13 balls before being dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga.
Gavaskar stressed that for India's title aspirations, Suryakumar adapting to the conditions is crucial. His ability to change his approach based on the pitch, rather than immediately playing his usual high-risk shots, could prove key to India's success in the final.
“He’s undoubtedly a class player. All I would suggest is that he give himself three or four deliveries in the middle to assess the conditions—check for pace, bounce, or turn. Watching from the dugout and stepping onto the field can feel very different,” Gavaskar told Sports Today.
“Sometimes, if a batter is ahead, it might seem like there’s nothing in the pitch, but it’s always better to take a few balls to gauge the conditions before playing your natural game,” Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar suggested that the tough contest before the final could actually benefit the Indian team, as it showcased their resilience and composure in securing the Super Over victory against Sri Lanka. In that match, India posted a strong total of 202 for five, driven by Abhishek Sharma's 61 and Tilak Varma's unbeaten 49.
Sri Lanka mounted a powerful chase in response, primarily led by Pathum Nissanka's century (107) and Kusal Perera's 58, which ultimately pushed the match into a Super Over. However, exceptional bowling by Arshdeep Singh in the tie-breaker eventually helped India secure the hard-fought win.
After an impressive tournament run where they remained unbeaten through six group-stage and Super 4 matches, India will now aim to successfully defend their Asia Cup title. They are set to face rivals Pakistan in the final on September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
“Facing a tough day before the final can actually be beneficial. It wasn’t a bad day; rather, it was a hard day at the office. The team managed to come through by maintaining their composure in the last few overs while defending the total," he further stated.
“The final over could have been slightly better if Harshit had bowled more slower deliveries instead of the pacey ones. Nonetheless, the way the team bounced back, despite the strong performances from Kusal Perera and Nissanka, speaks volumes about their resilience and temperament,” Gavaskar concluded.