The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been surrounded by politics, boycott calls, and heated debates. But away from the noise, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has stirred up controversy of his own by naming a combined India-Pakistan XI that includes no Pakistani cricketer.
All-Indian lineup in Chopra’s XI
Chopra’s team is a full-strength India XI, reflecting what he sees as the gulf in class between the two sides at present.
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Openers: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma
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No. 3: Sanju Samson
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No. 4: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
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No. 5: Tilak Varma
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All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube
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Spinners: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
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Pacer: Jasprit Bumrah
Why no Pakistan player?
By not including even one Pakistani cricketer, Chopra indirectly trolled the team, suggesting that India’s current squad is “head and shoulders above” their rivals. The combined XI, featuring only Indians, highlights the dominance India has in terms of depth, balance, and recent form.
India squad for Asia Cup 2025
India’s official Asia Cup squad is led by Suryakumar Yadav, with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Other notable names include Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
