India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement has triggered intense discussions after former cricketer Mohammad Kaif pointed out a major difference between Rahul Dravid’s T20 World Cup 2024 winning formula and Gautam Gambhir’s fresh approach.
Kaif emphasized that the balance of the team has shifted compared to the side that lifted the T20 World Cup trophy in Barbados last year. Under Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid, India had the luxury of three genuine all-rounders in Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, which provided six bowling options and batting depth till number eight. However, in Gambhir’s Asia Cup squad, Jadeja is absent, leaving only Hardik and Axar as all-rounders.
Kaif noted that this change reduces flexibility in both batting and bowling, adding that Washington Sundar’s exclusion could hurt India in the UAE conditions. “Rohit’s World Cup-winning squad had Axar Jadeja and Hardik giving the team the perfect balance. For the Asia Cup only Hardik and Axar remain as genuine all-rounders. Sundar’s ability to bat and bowl in the powerplay will be missed,” Kaif explained.
India’s T20 cricket has gone through two big transitions since the Barbados triumph. Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after the World Cup win, passing on the captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav. Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid stepped aside, and Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach. The Asia Cup is India’s first major T20 assignment under this new leadership.
When asked about Sundar’s omission, chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that the off-spinning all-rounder was placed on the stand-by list, while finisher Rinku Singh was preferred in the 15-member squad. Agarkar explained that the team already has three spin options in Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel. The management wanted an additional batter for UAE conditions, which pushed Sundar out of the main squad.
Agarkar added: “Sundar remains part of India’s long-term T20 plans. If we had the option of picking 16 players he would have been in. But for now we went with Rinku because we felt an extra batter is more valuable for the Asia Cup.”
India will now look to build a new winning combination as they chase continental glory in the UAE. The big question remains: Who should partner Abhishek Sharma at the top — Shubman Gill or Sanju Samson?