India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 – How India’s Bowlers Outfoxed Pakistan
Every India vs Pakistan clash gets remembered for one big headline—sometimes it’s a batter smashing centuries, sometimes it’s a bowler ripping through. This time, it was India’s bowling that turned the tide. The batting gave 289, not a mammoth score, but the bowlers made it look like 350. And honestly, watching the way they planned and executed—it felt like a masterclass in pressure cricket.
Bumrah’s Opening Spell – Setting The Tone
Jasprit Bumrah didn’t even take early wickets, but he set the mood. The first three overs he bowled were like a warning: tight lines, a hint of movement, and yorker attempts. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman couldn’t just free their arms. And here’s the thing—sometimes not conceding runs is as valuable as getting wickets. Pakistan’s scoreboard was stuck, the asking rate slowly creeping.
One delivery to Babar—angled in, then nipped away—nearly nicked him. The crowd gasped. That moment alone made Babar more cautious, which later helped Kuldeep.
Kuldeep Yadav – The Trap Master
Spin is risky against Pakistan, right? They’ve grown up smashing spinners. But India trusted Kuldeep Yadav, and boy did he deliver. He didn’t just bowl; he plotted. His first few overs were quiet, flighted balls, testing footwork. And then the set-up began.
Babar tried to push through covers, looked a bit restless. Next ball—tossed higher, a bit more dip, and bang, stumps rattled. That wicket wasn’t luck; it was pure plan.
After Babar, Kuldeep kept Pakistan’s middle order stuck. Rizwan couldn’t rotate; Iftikhar was itching to go big but had to wait. This choke in the middle overs basically killed the chase.
Hardik And Jadeja – The Silent Pressure Builders
While SKY and Gill’s batting got headlines, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling went under the radar. They didn’t pick up many wickets, but they squeezed runs. In ODIs, that’s gold. Every dot ball built frustration.
Pakistan’s middle order had to take risks earlier than they wanted. That’s how Iftikhar ended up swinging wild; that’s how Arshdeep got the chance to finish it.
Shaheen Afridi Scared India, But India Gave It Back
When Shaheen bowled India out under 300, Pakistani fans thought the chase was doable. But India’s bowlers returned the favour. They didn’t allow Shaheen’s effort to matter. It was like saying, “You’ve done your job, but ours will count more.”
There was balance in India’s attack. Not just one star; everyone chipped in. Bumrah tightened early, Kuldeep spun in the middle, and Arshdeep finished.
Arshdeep Singh – The Iceman
The biggest tactical moment of the night came in the 43rd over. Iftikhar Ahmed was on fire; Pakistan needed 60 in 7 overs—not impossible. The crowd was buzzing, blue shirts nervous, green shirts dancing.
Rohit Sharma threw the ball to Arshdeep. And the left-armer didn’t panic. He bowled full, straight, no freebies. Then, the killer blow—a yorker that crashed into Iftikhar’s stumps. Silence from one half of the crowd, absolute explosion from the other. That ball sealed the deal.
And credit to India’s captaincy here; Rohit didn’t save Bumrah for the end, he trusted Arshdeep. It worked perfectly.
Pakistan’s Mistakes Under Pressure
Let’s be fair—it wasn’t just India’s brilliance. Pakistan messed up, too. Babar’s dismissal triggered nerves, the middle order didn’t rotate strike, and the lower order collapsed under pressure. But that’s what good bowling does; it forces mistakes.
One example—Shadab Khan tried to loft Kuldeep straight but ended up skying it. That’s not random; it’s frustration after 10 balls without a boundary.
Some FAQs that will help you :-
Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh stood out, with Kuldeep removing Babar and Arshdeep finishing the job.
Babar Azam’s wicket to Kuldeep Yadav changed everything.
He bowls accurate yorkers under pressure and handled Iftikhar Ahmed perfectly.
No, but his tight spell kept Pakistan under pressure from the start.
Yes, but India’s bowlers executed plans so well that Pakistan kept losing momentum.