India’s T20 cricket landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the team heads into the Asia Cup 2025, set to begin on September 10 in the UAE. The absence of Rohit Sharma’s T20 World Cup-winning blueprint, which leaned heavily on a robust trio of all-rounders, has sparked discussions about the team’s balance. With only Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel as genuine all-rounders in the squad, and Washington Sundar relegated to the reserves, India faces the challenge of crafting a new winning combination. Here’s a deep dive into what this shift means for the Men in Blue.

The Legacy of Rohit’s All-Rounder Strategy

In 2024, India clinched the T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, with a strategy that emphasized depth in both batting and bowling. The presence of three all-rounders—Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja—provided six bowling options and batting strength down to number eight. This flexibility allowed India to adapt to various match situations, from recovering from early collapses to rotating bowlers effectively. Hardik’s explosive batting and pace bowling, Axar’s spin and situational hitting, and Jadeja’s all-around reliability were pivotal in securing the title. However, with Jadeja retired from T20Is and only two all-rounders in the current squad, the team’s dynamics have shifted.

Hardik and Axar: The Lone Pillars

Hardik Pandya remains India’s premier all-rounder, known for his ability to hit from ball one and deliver four overs of quality pace bowling. In 114 T20Is, he has scored 1,812 runs at a strike rate of 141.67 and taken 94 wickets, nearing significant milestones of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets. Axar Patel complements him with his left-arm spin and growing maturity as a batsman, capable of floating across the batting order. His economy rate of 7.1 in T20Is since 2024 and ability to stabilize innings make him indispensable. Yet, relying solely on these two players limits India’s options compared to the depth provided by three all-rounders in 2024.

Washington Sundar’s Absence: A Missed Opportunity

The exclusion of Washington Sundar from the main squad has raised eyebrows, especially after his stellar performances in the 2025 Test series against England, where he scored 284 runs and took seven wickets. Sundar’s off-spin and ability to contribute lower-order runs could have provided the third all-rounder dimension that India now lacks. His T20I record—48 wickets in 54 matches and a batting strike rate of over 121—highlights his versatility. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif emphasized that Sundar’s absence reduces India’s flexibility, particularly on the spin-friendly pitches of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Adapting to a New Game Plan

Under captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, India must innovate to compensate for the reduced all-rounder strength. The squad includes part-time bowling options like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, but their bowling lacks the consistency of Hardik or Axar. The decision to prioritize an extra batsman, Rinku Singh, over a third all-rounder reflects the team’s strategy to bolster batting depth for UAE conditions. However, this risks exposing the bowling unit, especially against power-hitting oppositions. The spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar may dominate, but the sixth bowling slot remains a concern, with Shivam Dube’s medium pace as a potential fallback.

Looking Ahead to Asia Cup 2025

India’s Asia Cup campaign, starting against UAE on September 10, will test this new combination. The team’s success will hinge on Hardik and Axar’s ability to deliver under pressure and the management’s tactical acumen in balancing the XI. While the absence of Rohit’s proven formula and Sundar’s all-round skills poses challenges, it also opens opportunities for emerging stars like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma to shine. As India aims to defend their title, adapting to this leaner all-rounder setup will be crucial for their 2026 T20 World Cup preparations.

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