Table of Contents
Introduction
In a statement that has taken the cricketing world by storm, legendary Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his utter astonishment at the depth and power of the Indian squad selected for the Asia Cup 2025. The “Rawalpindi Express,” known for his fierce on-field rivalry with India, was left asking a question that is on every fan’s mind: with so much talent on offer, who do you possibly leave out of the playing XI? His reaction is being seen as the ultimate compliment to India’s formidable bench strength.
Key Takeaways: Akhtar’s Viral Reaction
- Who: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
- What: Expressed “shock” and admiration for the strength of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad.
- The Viral Quote: His reaction is best summed up by his question: “Yaar, yeh kis ko baahar bithaayenge?” (Friend, whom will they make sit out?).
- The Core Issue: Akhtar highlighted India’s “problem of plenty,” where the team management faces the massive challenge of selecting a playing XI from a large pool of in-form, high-quality players.
"Achha, Abhishek bhi aa gaya? Bumrah bhi hai? Sanju Samson bhi hai, finally. Tilak bhi. Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh bhi hai, Shubman hai, Surya hai, Shivam Dube, apna Axar Patel. Yaar, yeh kis ko baahar bithaayenge?" @shoaib100mph said.https://t.co/KIUdrI5bjx
— Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) September 10, 2025
“A Good Headache”: The Selection Dilemma
During a discussion on a sports program, Shoaib Akhtar reviewed the Indian squad list and was visibly impressed. His viral comment perfectly captures the selection headache that the Indian captain and coach face. It highlights a “problem of plenty” that most teams in the world would dream of having.
Akhtar went on to name a host of players, underscoring the incredible depth in the Indian roster. He mentioned names like Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Tilak Varma, all of whom are competing for limited spots in the middle order. He also pointed to the powerful pace and all-rounder options available with Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.
This immense talent pool means that several world-class players will inevitably have to warm the bench, a testament to the strength of India’s domestic cricket structure and the IPL.
A Formidable Force in the Asia Cup
The former pacer’s assessment of India’s strength was unequivocal. Looking ahead to their match against the UAE, Akhtar humorously remarked that India is so overwhelmingly strong that even if the UAE manages to lose by a small margin, they should consider it a moral victory.
His comments position India as the clear powerhouse and overwhelming favorite for the tournament, suggesting that the team’s biggest challenge might not be the opposition, but choosing its own best and most balanced combination.
Conclusion
The reaction from Shoaib Akhtar on the India squad has resonated deeply with cricket fans, as it comes from a respected adversary and validates the immense strength of the current Indian team. While the selection dilemma is a “good headache” for the team management to have, their final choices will be under intense scrutiny. As the Men in Blue embark on their Asia Cup campaign, the challenge will be to harness this incredible depth and convert the potential on paper into a dominant performance on the field.
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Sources:
- NDTV Sports: For the initial report on Shoaib Akhtar’s comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was Shoaib Akhtar’s main comment about the Indian team?
His most famous comment was a question that highlighted India’s strength: “Yaar, yeh kis ko baahar bithaayenge?” which translates to “Friend, whom will they make sit out?”
Which players did Shoaib Akhtar mention?
He mentioned a long list of players, including Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and others, to illustrate the team’s depth.
