As India prepare for another thrilling Asia Cup, all eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav, under whom India are set to embark on their latest campaign. Yadav will captain the national side for the first time in a multi-nation tournament. Having undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few years, Yadav has become one of India’s most dependable assets in white-ball cricket. Moreover, he enjoyed a sensational season in the 2025 Indian Premier League, racking up over 700 runs. Ahead of the Asia Cup, former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane offered high praise for Yadav, particularly his batting.
"Didn't have a good series against England, but came back to form in IPL with five fifties and finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with a healthy strike rate. We all know Surya is a dangerous batter. In this format, he has done really well. But it will be interesting to see how he goes about his batting, especially after the surgery,” Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Rahane also lauded all-rounder Axar Patel.
“I feel he is a very much underrated player. He has improved as a player, as a cricketer in the last two to three years. He has done really well. Whenever he’s got an opportunity as a batter, as a bowler, he has performed really well for the team. He can bowl with the new ball in the powerplay, he can bowl in the middle phase as well, and if needed, he can bowl in death overs.”