India’s much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 squad is set to be unveiled around August 19 or 20, with the final call resting on the medical reports from the Centre of Excellence’s Sports Science team. One of the biggest talking points is the potential leadership role for Shubman Gill in the T20I side, while Yashasvi Jaiswal may not find a place in the squad.
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, is recovering well and has resumed batting in the nets at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. His fitness clearance will be pivotal to finalizing the squad. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is confirmed for the Asia Cup but might be rested for the opening Test against the West Indies in early October due to workload management.
Gill’s impressive form — including 754 runs in the recent Test series against England and a strong IPL showing — puts him in contention for the vice-captaincy. However, Axar Patel held that role in the last home T20I series, making this a contest between recent form and leadership continuity. The core batting unit under Suryakumar’s captaincy — Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya — looks set, leaving limited space for top-order additions.
Sanju Samson is almost certain to retain the wicketkeeper role, while Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel are in contention for the backup spot. Injury setbacks rule out Nitish Kumar Reddy, with Shivam Dube likely filling the seam-bowling all-rounder role alongside Hardik Pandya.
In the pace department, Bumrah will lead with Arshdeep Singh as the probable second seamer. The third pace slot will be a choice between Prasidh Krishna, who took 25 wickets in the last IPL season, and Harshit Rana, whose pace and bounce have caught the eye of selectors. Spin options are likely to include Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and either Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy, depending on UAE conditions.
Likely India Asia Cup 2025 Squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Jitesh Sharma/Dhruv Jurel.
India begins their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against UAE, followed by a high-voltage clash with Pakistan on September 14. The selectors face tough calls on balancing form, fitness, and experience as the tournament draws near.
