Kisne Bola India No.1?’: Pakistan Captain Salman Ali Agha, Suryakumar Yadav Dismiss Asia Cup 2025 Favourites Tag After Fiery Clash
Asia Cup: India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha downplayed India’s top ranking, emphasising the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket
The records—India has won the Asia Cup the most number of times (8), current form—they are the reigning world champions, power-packed players, a well-balanced team, and popular belief make India the overwhelming favourite ahead of the start of Asia Cup 2025.
The number one-ranked T20 side will begin their campaign against the UAE on Wednesday. The tournament, however, will kick start with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the tournament opener on Tuesday. Before that, the captains of all eight participating teams came together in a pre-tournament press conference.
Both India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha were asked the same question about India being the number one side by some distance, and both of them brushed it aside.
When Surya Kumar Yadav was informed by a journalist that India is being treated as the form favourite and the number one side by some distance, he said he hadn’t heard something like this.
“Kisne bola? Maine toh nahi suna (Who said this? I didn’t hear anything of this sort),” Surya said with a smile. “We are playing this format for a long time. If your preparations are good, you enter the field with a lot of confidence.”
India haven’t played T20 Eyes as a unit for a long time. Their last international match was against England at home earlier this year. Surya Kumar, however, said India reached UAE early and has had a few very good practice sessions. “Yes, we are playing after a long time. But we landed here three to four days back. We have had some good practice sessions. So we are really looking forward to this tournament.”
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha too reviews to name India the number one favourites by some distance. He said anything can happen in a fast-paced format like the T20.
“In T20s, I don’t really think anyone is favourite, because on a particular day you have to play good cricket. Because it’s T20 and a very fast game. In one ot two overs, the game can change, and I said that the other day the tri-series was always a preparation for the Asia Cup, and the environment was like, ‘We have to win that tournament’, so I just said that in that way,” he said.
Pakistan entered the Asia Cup by winning the tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan. “The tri-series was always a preparation. If you won it, that’s very good. If you didn’t, we still have to play, come here and play a good cricket and win the Asia Cup.”
The build-up to the Asia Cup 2025 has been charged with excitement, anticipation, and inevitable debates over who deserves the favourite tag in one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. But both Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha and India’s Suryakumar Yadav have struck a rare note of agreement — dismissing the idea that India should be considered the outright No.1 favourite to lift the trophy.
Speaking to the media in Lahore ahead of Pakistan’s clash with Bangladesh, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was asked whether India’s dominant recent form makes them the frontrunners for the Asia Cup title. His response was quick, sharp, and headline-grabbing:
“Kisne bola India ko No.1? Cricket ground par sab equal hote hain. Humne bhi apni tayyari ki hai, aur hum bhi jeetne aaye hain.”
(Who said India is No.1? On the cricket field, everyone is equal. We have also prepared, and we are here to win.)
The remark sparked immediate chatter across social media, with many Pakistani fans hailing his boldness as a display of self-belief and competitive spirit.
Meanwhile, Indian batting star Suryakumar Yadav, speaking after India’s training session in Dubai, echoed a surprisingly similar sentiment. Rather than accepting the favourite label, he downplayed India’s supremacy in Asia Cup discussions.
“Favourite tag se kuch nahi hota. Har team yahan champion banne aayi hai. Hum apna best cricket khelenge, bas.”
(The favourite tag means nothing. Every team has come here to become champion. We will just play our best cricket.)
His statement resonated with Indian supporters who have seen their team suffer upsets in past tournaments despite being tagged as favourites.
This mutual dismissal of the “India No.1” narrative signals a notable shift in how players want to handle expectations. For years, India has carried the weight of being considered the strongest cricketing nation in Asia, thanks to its depth, star power, and financial muscle in world cricket. But both Salman and Suryakumar appear to be steering the conversation toward equality and competition.
Cricket analysts suggest this is a smart psychological move. By rejecting the favourite label, India can reduce pressure on its players, while Pakistan positions itself as hungry underdogs ready to punch above their weight.
Social media platforms erupted after Salman’s “Kisne bola India ko No.1?” comment went viral.
Pakistani fans used the quote as a rallying cry, circulating memes and videos mocking Indian dominance.
Indian fans responded with reminders of past victories, particularly India’s commanding win in the 2023 Asia Cup final and their unbeaten run in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stages.
On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #KisneBolaIndiaNo1, #AsiaCup2025, and #INDvsPAK trended within hours.
The Asia Cup 2025 comes at a crucial time for both nations. India enters with a strong lineup featuring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, while Pakistan banks on Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and the newly appointed skipper Salman Ali Agha to lead their campaign.
The tournament will also serve as a test of temperament ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in Pakistan.
