The selection of India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 has stirred considerable debate, with former cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressing his disagreement with certain choices made by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee. Singh believes that the team composition could have been stronger with the inclusion of a particular "X-factor" player, though he did not specify who that player was.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad on August 19, 2025, with Suryakumar Yadav named as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters. Jasprit Bumrah makes his return to the white-ball setup for the first time since the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team also features Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh.

However, the exclusion of certain players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer has raised eyebrows. While Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel have been named as stand-by players, their omission from the main squad has led to questions about the team's balance and potential.

Harbhajan Singh had previously revealed his preferred squad, which differed significantly from the one selected by the committee. His choices included Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, and either KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper. He also picked Riyan Parag, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh. Notably, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma were absent from his list.

Singh's reservations about the selected squad highlight the challenges faced by the selectors in striking a balance between experience and potential, while also considering the specific conditions and opponents in the Asia Cup. The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to September 28, with India playing their first match against the UAE on September 10. The tournament will be played in a T20 format. India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman are in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong form Group B.

The exclusion of certain players suggests a strategic decision to prioritize certain skill sets and combinations. For instance, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Abhishek Sharma's inclusion was influenced by his all-round ability. However, the perceived lack of an "X-factor," as pointed out by Harbhajan Singh, could potentially impact the team's performance in crucial moments.

Ultimately, the success of the selected squad will depend on their ability to perform under pressure and adapt to the challenges posed by their opponents. The Asia Cup 2025 serves as an important platform for India to fine-tune their preparations for future tournaments, and the team will be eager to prove their mettle on the international stage.