Asia Cup 2025: Indian Team Squad Review
The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 is set to kick off on September 9, and the BCCI has officially announced India’s 15-member squad for the tournament. The squad, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, was revealed by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar during a press conference.
Notably, Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah make their return to the T20I setup after significant breaks. Gill last featured in a T20I against Sri Lanka in 2024, while Bumrah’s most recent appearance was in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Final, where India lifted the trophy.
India Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav ©, Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Travelling Reserves: Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna
India’s batting unit is packed with explosive talents such as Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jitesh Sharma, and Rinku Singh. With such depth, the management faces a pleasant dilemma in selecting the final playing XI — particularly after the return of Shubman Gill.
A key talking point will be which wicketkeeper (Sanju Samson or Jitesh Sharma) makes it into the starting XI, and what role they will play in the batting order — especially considering Samson’s flexibility.
The squad includes three versatile all-rounders in Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel, giving India crucial balance in both batting and bowling departments. It will be interesting to see whether the team management opts for two or all three in the starting lineup.
In the pace department, Jasprit Bumrah leads the attack, supported by Arshdeep Singh and rising talent Harshit Rana. The spin unit features Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, giving India a strong spin combination. However, it remains to be seen which spinner will be the preferred option in the starting XI.
The BCCI has named a formidable and well-balanced squad for the Asia Cup 2025. If the players perform to their full potential, India could be the favourites to win the title. That said, the absence of some big names like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer raised eyebrows. Chief Selector Agarkar clarified that due to the constraints of a 15-member limit, a few deserving players had to be left out.
India heads into the Asia Cup 2025 with a strong, well-rounded squad. While a few tough calls had to be made in selection, the team looks dangerous on paper. With key players returning and a blend of youth and experience, fans can expect an exciting campaign as India aims to reclaim the Asia Cup crown.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Schedule
The Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin on September 9, featuring eight participating teams. The complete group stage and match schedule have already been announced. India has been drawn into Group A, along with Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. The tournament will consist of a total of 19 matches, including 12 group stage games, 6 Super Four fixtures, and the Asia Cup 2025 final. Team India will start their campaign against the UAE on September 10. After this, India will face Pakistan on September 14 and Oman on September 19.