Asia Cup, a good opportunity for India to prepare for T20 World Cup: Virender Sehwag

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag believes the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 will serve as an ideal platform for the Indian team to test their combinations and prepare for the T20 World Cup scheduled for next year.

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcing the squad for the continental tournament, Sehwag suggested that the Asia Cup will be a testing ground for the management to identify players who can stake their claim for the ICC event.

"I think in the T20 format, this Asia Cup can serve as a great preparation for our 2026 T20 World Cup. It’s an opportunity to see which new players should be given chances and who can be included in the squad. You can start building a team for the World Cup," Sehwag said on Sony Sports Network.

"In my opinion, there is no better opportunity for the Indian team to check its strength than the Asia Cup," he added.

India, after winning the T20 World Cup in 2024, will be expecting to build a side to defend their title as well.

Since Gautam Gambhir took charge as head coach, India’s T20I side, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has shown impressive consistency. They have won four consecutive series, defeating Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, and England. With momentum firmly on their side, India will look to use the Asia Cup as another stepping stone to fine-tune their balance ahead of the global tournament.

The last time the Asia Cup was held in the T20 format, in 2022, India endured a disappointing campaign, crashing out in the Super Four stage after defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. That setback continues to serve as a reminder of the challenges in the format, and the current squad will be determined to avoid a repeat.

The tournament will also carry extra significance for vice-captain Shubman Gill, who is returning to the T20I setup after more than a year. Widely regarded as India’s next all-format star, the 25-year-old will have the dual responsibility of stabilising the batting unit and growing into his leadership role under Suryakumar. His form could prove decisive in India’s World Cup preparations.

India begins their Asia Cup campaign against the United Arab Emirates on September 10 at the Dubai International Stadium. They will also face rivals Pakistan and Oman in the group stages.