From Rohit’s early blitzes to Kohli’s long-awaited ton, India’s finest have lit up the shortest format of the Asia Cup
Few platforms in cricket evoke as much theatre as the Asia Cup. It isn’t just about winning matches; it’s about creating innings etched into memory. For India, the T20 editions of the Asia Cup have been fertile ground for batting tales — some shaped under pressure, others bursting with flair.
As the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE nears, here’s a look back at five of the finest Indian batting performances in the tournament’s T20 history.
When Virat Kohli walked out against Afghanistan in Dubai on September 8, 2022, the numbers haunted him — 1031 days without an international century. What followed was catharsis in its purest form. Kohli delivered a masterclass, scoring 122 not out from 61 balls, including 12 fours and 6 sixes at a strike rate of 200.00.
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It was not just the runs but the command — he pierced gaps, lofted spinners over long-on, and rekindled the authority that had seemed dormant. India amassed 212/2 before dismissing Afghanistan for 111. Player of the Match honours were inevitable, but more importantly, Kohli reminded the cricketing world that his bat still roared.
The inaugural T20 Asia Cup in Mirpur in 2016 demanded a statement. Rohit Sharma responded with a dazzling 83 off 55 balls, peppered with 7 boundaries and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 150.90. On a sticky surface where others struggled, Rohit’s timing was impeccable — drives flowed, pulls thundered, and he anchored India’s 166/6.
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Bangladesh, set a stiff target, could only muster 121/7, giving India a comfortable 45-run victory. Rohit’s innings was more than just a good score; it set the tone for India’s unbeaten run to the trophy.
Fast forward to Dubai, September 2022. Against Sri Lanka, India needed both solidity and fireworks. Rohit delivered with a masterful innings, scoring 72 off just 41 deliveries, striking at 175.60 with 5 fours and 4 sixes. His aggressive approach to spinners in the middle overs sustained India’s momentum, lifting their total to 173/8.
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Although Sri Lanka chased down the target with a ball to spare, Rohit’s innings stood out for its measured aggression and clarity of stroke play. It was the kind of innings only he could produce — a perfect blend of elegance and power.
Some innings feel like exhibitions, and Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 68 off 26 balls against Hong Kong in Dubai was exactly that. With 6 fours and 6 sixes, SKY toyed with the bowling, unfurling scoops, sweeps, and lofted drives at will. His strike rate? An astonishing 261.53.
