NEW DELHI: Suryakumar Yadav proved to be the x-factor in bringing India good luck ahead of their 2025 Asia Cup campaign opener against UAE by winning the coin toss. The last time Team India had won a toss was all the way back on January 28, in the 3rd T20I against England in Rajkot. That was also under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav.
Thereafter, India went on a world-record streak of 15 matches without winning a single toss. Not only did they achieve that record, but they ended up extending it by three. The West Indies, who previously held the record, had gone on a 12-match toss losing streak from February to April 1999.
Now after a gap of 8 months, the Men in Blue finally got the opportunity to choose whether they would like to bat or field. And when asked the same in the middle, India's T20I skipper chose to field.
The Dubai International Stadium has a history of low scoring encounters with anything around the 170-180 mark good enough to be considered a winning total. Historically the dew factor and pitch behaviour has favoured the chasing side.
Hence, Suryakumar Yadav’s toss win will definitely benefit India who will be looking to put their strongest foot forward in their Asia Cup opener. With India’s strong batting outfit batting deep till number 8, this one should be a piece of cake for India.
A comfortable win over a team like UAE would send a strong reminder that India are the clear favourites to win the Asia Cup.
While it is too early to declare India as the winners of the tournament, the most successful team in Asia Cup's history with 8 Tournament wins have started their campaign with good luck on their side. And their eyes will undoubtedly be on their 9th Asia Cup triumph.
