.For the first time in over a decade, India will head into a major multi-nation tournament without the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from T20Is last year. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is on the same day after India lifted the T20 World Cup last year in Barbados. In May 2025, the two also decided to step away from Test cricket.
It is going to take Pakistan some more time before they overcome the massive beating received by Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup 2022 clash against India. Pakistan seemed to have all but won the contest before Virat Kohli smashed two sixes against Haris Rauf to dramatically turn the tables. As the two teams square off again, this time without Virat, India’s batting legend Sunil Gavaskar sent a blunt reminder to Pakistan about that epic night in Melbourne.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the T20Is after India won the T20 World Cup 2024. Be it the Asia Cup 2025 or the T20 World Cup next year, Pakistan will not get the opportunity to play against Virat Kohli. Hence, the memories of the 2022 showdown at the iconic MCG are going to live for a long time in the Pakistan pacers’ minds.
In a fun interaction, former fast bowler Shoaib Akthar and former captain Misbah-ul-Haq discussed India’s strengths before the upcoming game against Pakistan on Sunday. While he too respected India’s strong team, Misbah felt Pakistan have a chance if their bowlers could strike early blows to test Indian middle order.
Pakistan definitely have an opportunity with Virat Kohli not there- Misbah-ul-Haq
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq believes that Salman Agha’s men in green have a great opportunity to leave an impact in the Asia Cup when they face India on Sunday. The ongoing continental championship is India’s first multi-nation T20 tournament since Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from the format last year. Misbah believes that Pakistan will have the edge since the Indian stalwarts are no longer there in the dressing room. Speaking to Pakistan’s Tapmad, Misbah suggested that Pakistan can take control if they strike early against India.
“Pakistan definitely have an opportunity here. If they (India) don’t get a good start and lose two wickets, then Virat Kohli isn’t there. Their batting is different, too, and they haven’t played much against these bowlers, so Pakistan’s bowling also has an opportunity. If you can create that gap from the top, then you’ll have a chance. But again, the key point is: Pakistan needs a good start,” Misbah said.
Virat Kohli called time on his T20I career after steering India to the World Cup crown in Barbados last year.Since then, the batting unit has taken a new shape with youngsters Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma stepping up alongside skipper Suryakumar Yadav. India, though, head into the Pakistan clash high on confidence after a commanding start in the Asia Cup. Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant 4/7 and Shivam Dube’s 3/4 skittled the UAE for just 57 – their lowest total against India.
Both India and Pakistan went off the mark with a victory in their respective opening matches. India thrashed the UAE by 9 wickets, finishing a 58-run chase in 4.3 overs. On Friday, Pakistan defeated Oman by 93 runs to gain 2 points on the Group A tally.However, India lead the points table with a staggering Net Run Rate (NRR) of +10. Pakistan are placed second with a +4.650 NRR. Only Afghanistan, on the Group B table, have a better NRR (+4.700) than Pakistan.
As the two sides lock horns on Sunday, India will definitely start as favourites. India is the reigning World Champions and the number 1 T20I side in the World, while Pakistan is undergoing a transitional phase. However, the nature of the shortest format is such that anything can happen on any given day, and the side that presents itself better and handles pressure goes on to win the game.