As the Indian cricket team gears up for the Asia Cup 2025, all eyes are on the squad selection, which is set to be announced today, August 19, in Mumbai. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, faces a complex task of balancing current form, established players, and future prospects. The tournament, to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to September 28, will be played in the T20 format.
One of the biggest dilemmas for the selectors is accommodating Shubman Gill in the T20I setup. Despite his stellar performance as Test captain in England, where he amassed 722 runs in the series, Gill hasn't quite found his footing in the T20 format. While some reports suggest that Agarkar and coach Gautam Gambhir are "huge fans" of Gill, his T20I strike rate of 139, which dipped to 129.25 in his last seven innings, raises concerns about his suitability for the aggressive T20 template.
Former cricketers and experts have voiced differing opinions on Gill's inclusion. Harbhajan Singh has strongly backed Gill, emphasizing his ability to adapt to any format and stabilize the innings when needed. He highlighted Gill's impressive record in the IPL, where he won the Orange Cap in 2023, scoring 890 runs. Gambhir has also defended Gill's talent, stating that those who doubt him "only know how to speak cricket, not understand it".
However, some argue that Gill's elegant, technically sound stroke play might not be enough in the power-hitting focused T20 format. With in-form players like Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson already establishing themselves at the top order, accommodating Gill might require unsettling the settled XI.
The selection committee also needs to address the middle-order puzzle. With Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel almost certain of their places, the battle is on for the remaining spots. Shreyas Iyer, who had a standout IPL 2025, is a strong contender, bringing valuable experience to the middle order.
The bowling department seems more straightforward, with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh likely to lead the pace attack. Hardik Pandya's presence as an all-rounder further strengthens the squad. The third seamer's spot could be a toss-up between Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana, with Rana seemingly ahead due to his recent performance.
The spin department will likely be led by Kuldeep Yadav, with potential support from Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar, considering the slow pitches in the UAE.
As the selection meeting approaches, speculation is rife about potential surprises and bold omissions. Some reports suggest that veteran players like Mohammed Siraj might miss out, while young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi are being considered.
The Asia Cup 2025 is significant for India as it marks the first major tournament after stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is. It also serves as a crucial platform to finalize the core group for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026. The selected squad will not only aim to win the Asia Cup but also lay the foundation for future success in the T20 format.
