'Maine toh nahi suna': Suryakumar Yadav stumps reporter with 'kisne bola' query on Asia Cup 'favourites' tag

Suryakumar Yadav shrugs down 'favourites' tag ahead of Asia Cup opener. (Photo: X/PTI)

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has brushed aside talk of his team being overwhelming favourites for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, stressing that the players are focused on preparation rather than outside chatter.

“Kisne bola? Maine to nahi suna kahin. We are playing T20s after a long time. But we are well prepared,” Suryakumar said in the pre-tournament press conference ahead of India’s opening clash against the UAE on September 10.

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India will be returning to T20 international action after a considerable gap. Their last bilateral T20I series came in January–February earlier this year, followed by the Indian Premier League (IPL), but the team has not featured together in the shortest format since June.

Addressing concerns about rustiness, Suryakumar added: “Yes, as a team, we played a T20I series in January and February. The boys also played the IPL. But yeah, we haven't played any cricket together since June. So, let's see what happens tomorrow.”

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The Asia Cup will serve as a crucial platform for India to test their combinations and build momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup next year. With the tournament opener drawing significant attention, the spotlight will be on how the Indian team manages its return to the T20I format.

The blockbuster clash of the tournament featuring India and Pakistan will take place on September 14.

Interestingly, when the Pakistan captain Salman Agha Ali was asked about his view on a team being favourite of the tournament he said, "In T20 cricket, I don't think so any one is favourite. At a particular day, you have to play good cricket. It's a fast-paced game. A couple of overs can change the game."