Ashwin Says India Will Win Asia Cup Easily, Suggests Afro-Asia Cup Revival

Indian cricket legend and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has issued a strong warning to all teams participating in the Asia Cup 2025, boldly claiming that India will face little difficulty in winning the tournament. His comments have sparked major debate among cricket fans across Asia.

Ashwin, who retired from international cricket recently, believes the competition is now heavily unbalanced because of India’s rising dominance. According to him, the Asia Cup has lost much of its competitive edge, and he even suggested that teams from outside Asia may need to be invited to restore balance.

During a recent online discussion, Ashwin openly stated his views without hesitation. He said, “They can almost include South Africa and make it an Afro-Asia Cup to make the Asia Cup competitive. How are these teams even going to compete against India?” His words highlighted the growing gap between India and other Asian cricketing nations.

India’s opening match in the tournament only added weight to his statement. The team crushed the UAE, chasing a tiny total of just 58 runs in only 4.3 overs. This dominant performance reminded everyone why India entered the Asia Cup as defending World Champions and the most successful team in the tournament’s history, with eight titles already under their belt.

However, Ashwin’s remarks did not go unnoticed. They triggered discussions across Asia, especially among fans who see the Asia Cup as much more than a tournament. For them, it is a stage where historic rivalries—most famously Pakistan vs. India—play out with unmatched intensity.

His suggestion about reviving the Afro-Asia Cup also added an interesting twist to the debate. The Afro-Asia Cup was a short-lived tournament held only twice, in 2005 (Bengaluru) and 2007 (Chennai). It was organized jointly by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the African Cricket Association (ACA), bringing together some of the world’s biggest stars from both continents. The event was originally created as a charity initiative, raising funds for cricket development projects.

But Ashwin’s idea was not about charity. Instead, it was a serious suggestion that India has grown too strong for Asian rivals, and only modern, powerful teams like South Africa could provide a true challenge.

In countries like Pakistan, many fans saw Ashwin’s comments as arrogant and overconfident. Yet, at the same time, his words also reflect how India currently views itself—as the powerhouse of Asian cricket. Whether the Afro-Asia Cup ever makes a comeback or not, the Asia Cup still plays a big role for smaller nations like Hong Kong and the UAE, giving them valuable exposure on a global stage. For stronger teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka, it remains an opportunity to prove their strength against India.

As the cricketing world looks forward to the much-awaited Pakistan vs. India clash on September 14 in Dubai, Ashwin’s fiery comments have only added extra heat to a rivalry that already needs no introduction. Fans are now left wondering: Will India’s dominance continue, or will Pakistan rise to the occasion and silence critics like Ashwin? The answer will be revealed soon—on the pitch, where words give way to performance.

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