The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 today, August 19. All speculations will be put to rest as the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, convenes in Mumbai to finalize the team. The announcement is scheduled for 1:30 PM IST and is expected to be attended by Agarkar and T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav.
The Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in the T20 format, is scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). India, the defending champions, find themselves in Group A alongside Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE. Their campaign will begin on September 10 against the UAE in Dubai, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 14. They will then face Oman on September 19.
The selection process isn't without its challenges. Several talented players are vying for a spot, creating healthy competition. With a wealth of options available, the selectors face a tough task in choosing the final 15.
One of the biggest dilemmas is fitting Shubman Gill into the T20 side. Despite his stellar performances in Test cricket and the IPL, Gill might find it difficult to break into the T20 team. The top order is already packed with in-form players like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma. While Gill remains in the selectors' long-term plans, he may not be considered a frontline T20 option at the moment. It was reported that the team management was offered the chance to include Gill in the squad by dropping Varma, but they declined.
Suryakumar Yadav is expected to continue leading the team, having cleared his fitness test. Jasprit Bumrah is set to make his return to the squad after recovering from a minor knee concern.
The likely seam-bowling options include Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh. One spot remains for a reserve seamer, with Harshit Rana being a frontrunner. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj are considered more as red-ball specialists. However, Bumrah could be rested for the series against the West Indies in October, potentially opening opportunities for Krishna and Siraj.
The spin department is also brimming with talent. Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Washington Sundar are strong contenders, with Sundar's all-round abilities potentially giving him an edge. Axar Patel is also a leading name in the spin department.
With injuries sidelining Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube is likely to serve as Hardik Pandya's backup as a seam-bowling all-rounder. Jitesh Sharma is expected to be the backup wicket-keeper.
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has already shared his predicted squad, which includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. Notably, his selection omits Sanju Samson, Varun Chakravarthy, and Tilak Varma. Mohammed Kaif also recently picked his T20I side for the Asia Cup, including Gill as a backup opener but leaving out Jaiswal.
The Asia Cup 2025 promises to be an exciting tournament, and the announcement of the Indian squad will be a significant moment for fans and players alike.
