Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has pointed out a glaring gap in Team India’s combination for the Asia Cup 2025. He pointed out a significant contrast between the team selected for the Asia Cup 2025 by current head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team that won the 2024 T20 World Cup last year under then-coach Rahul Dravid.

While India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 under Gautam Gambhir’s guidance, this Asia Cup will be the first major T20I tournament under his coaching tenure.

Kaif said that the current team only has two proper all-rounders, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, whereas the Rohit-led team had three: Axar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik. India will miss Washington Sundar in the United Arab Emirates, he hinted.

“Rohit's team won the T20 World Cup with 3 all-rounders—Axar, Jadeja, and Hardik—and that meant 6 proper bowling options and batting till 8. At the Asia Cup, there are only 2 genuine all-rounders—Hardik and Axar. India will have to find a new winning combination. Washington Sundar will be missed,” he posted on X.  

Rinku Singh was chosen over Washington Sundar in the 15-member Indian squad, while Sundar was kept in reserve. At last month's team announcement in Mumbai, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that the decision was made because the management believed India would require an additional batter under UAE conditions.

He added that the team already has three spin options: Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel.