India face 5 key challenges ahead of final against Pakistan:Fielding lapses, Jasprit Bumrah’s uncharacteristic returns Suryakumar’s poor form

As the Asia Cup 2025 final approaches on Sunday (September 28), India are set to lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan after edging past Sri Lanka in a thrilling Super Over contest. Having already defeated Pakistan twice, once in the group stage and again in the Super Four, India will look to carry that momentum into the high-stakes finale. This historic clash marks the first time in the 41-year history of the Asia Cup that India and Pakistan will meet in the tournament’s final. The stage is set at the iconic Dubai International Stadium, promising a battle that fans across the globe have long awaited. However, the Indian team faces some tough questions before stepping onto the field. From Suryakumar Yadav’s struggle with form and Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management to lapses in fielding, several challenges need to be addressed. As the pressure builds, India will need to overcome these concerns to deliver their best performance in the title showdown. 5 challenges for Team India ahead of IND-PAK clash Fielding is the pain point for Team India India’s recent matches have exposed weaknesses in their fielding, raising concerns ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan on Sunday. The team’s sloppy efforts were evident in the clash against Bangladesh, where they dropped as many as five catches. Fortunately, the lapses did not cost them the game, as India still secured a 41-run win in Dubai. Bumrah’s poor output, workload challenges Indian pace ace Jasprit Bumrah has had a packed schedule since the Champions Trophy, featuring in the IPL, England tour, and now the Asia Cup 2025. Managing his workload remains a top concern for the Indian support staff, especially with several crucial series lined up. In the ongoing tournament, Bumrah has claimed five wickets in four matches, conceding 110 runs at an economy of 7.33. Surya’s poor batting form Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has been struggling with poor form this season, a concern that has carried into the Asia Cup 2025. In the ongoing T20I season, he has managed just 99 runs at a strike rate of 110 across 11 matches, including three ducks an unusual slump for him. In the Asia Cup, too, he has been far from his best with 179 runs at a strike rate of 143.2, though he included a duck against Pakistan in the Super Fours stage. Team India’s batting order puzzle Team India has been in excellent form in the ongoing Asia Cup, winning all six of their matches to secure a place in the final. Despite their dominance, the team continues to experiment with its batting order, which remains unsettled. This trial-and-error approach could prove risky, as an unsettled lineup might lead to a batting collapse in the high-pressure final against Pakistan on Sunday. Lack of fast bowling depth With Jasprit Bumrah struggling to find his rhythm in the Asia Cup 2025, India’s limited fast-bowling resources could be a major concern ahead of the final against Pakistan. The frontline pace options include Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, while Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh have leaked plenty of runs, especially against Sri Lanka. If Bumrah fails to deliver, India might face a serious setback in the pace department.