India’s Likely Asia Cup 2025 Squad: Shubman Gill Surprise and a Top Star’s Omission

As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepares to announce the squad for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28, there are indications of some major surprises in store. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is expected to finalize a squad that balances experience and youth, but with some unexpected decisions expected to catch fans and experts alike off guard.

Captain and Leadership

Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead the Indian team in the Asia Cup, bringing finessed aggression and experience to the role. His recent fitness clearance and stellar IPL season make him a natural choice to steer the side through one of the biggest tournaments on the T20 calendar.

Batting Lineup: Gill In, Jaiswal Out?

One of the most talked-about aspects is the probable inclusion of Shubman Gill in the squad, signaling a significant boost for the team’s top order. Gill’s selection may come at the expense of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is likely to miss out despite his stature as a rising star in Indian cricket.

Other batting stalwarts expected to be part of the squad include Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh—although there is some speculation about Singh’s spot being reviewed.

Wicketkeeping Roles

Sanju Samson's place as India’s primary wicketkeeper is unchallenged, but the backup wicketkeeper slot is under keen competition. The battle is set between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel, with reports suggesting Jitesh Sharma might edge ahead due to recent form. Notably, former wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is unlikely to be part of the Asia Cup contingent.

All-Rounders: The Pace Bowler Slot Up For Grabs

The all-round department looks stable with Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar present in the mix. However, there remains one slot for a pace-bowling all-rounder, with Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy as the top candidates. Form and experience might tip the scales in favor of Dube for this role.

Bowling Attack: Questions Over Bumrah’s Fitness

The bowling lineup features some certainty and some debate. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy are expected to be mainstays. However, a major uncertainty looms over Jasprit Bumrah, who played only three Tests in England recently and whose fitness remains under scrutiny. His participation could impact the selection dynamics for other bowlers, particularly for spots contested by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

What to Expect

• Tentative batting core including Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma

• Wicketkeeping duo of Sanju Samson and likely Jitesh Sharma

• All-round lineup anchored by Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, with Shivam Dube as the probable pace-bowling all-rounder

• Bowling contingent expected to feature Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, with the selection of Bumrah and the choice between Siraj and Krishna being key points of deliberation

Closing Remarks

With the Asia Cup building up as a major preparatory tournament ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, the BCCI selectors face the dual challenge of balancing performance, form, and players’ fitness. Shubman Gill’s anticipated inclusion and the omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal reflect the committee's strategic thinking to optimize India's chances in the UAE conditions.

As the squad announcement draws near, cricket lovers eagerly await the final list that will carry India’s hopes in one of Asia’s prestigious cricketing festivals.