Shreyas Iyer Leads Former Cricketer's Alternate India XI For Asia Cup 2025
Aakash Chopra Picks Shreyas Iyer-Led Alternate India Squad For Asia Cup 2025
India’s official Asia Cup squad left out several in-form names, sparking lively debate. Former opener-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra has joined the conversation by unveiling a full “alternate XI” captained by the biggest omission of all, Shreyas Iyer.
Why An Alternate Squad?
Chopra says his line-up highlights the depth of Indian talent and the tough calls selectors face. By naming players who missed the original 15 (and even the five reserves), he argues that form in domestic and IPL cricket should count for more than “future planning” alone.
Chopra’s XI At A Glance
Slot | Player | Key 2025 Highlight |
|---|---|---|
Opener | Yashasvi Jaiswal | 559 IPL runs at 160 SR |
Opener | Ruturaj Gaikwad | 108* vs AUS in Guwahati ODI |
No. 3 | KL Rahul | 432 domestic T20 runs, 154 SR |
No. 4 (Captain) | Shreyas Iyer | 604 IPL runs, 175 SR |
Wicket-keeper | Rishabh Pant | Fit again, 487 SMAT runs |
All-rounder | Nitish Kumar Reddy | 259 runs, 8 wickets in IPL |
Spin all-rounder | Krunal Pandya | 10 IPL wickets, 131 SR |
Spin all-rounder | Washington Sundar | Eco 6.8 in TNPL |
Leg-spinner | Ravi Bishnoi | 18 IPL wickets |
Seamer | Prasidh Krishna | 11 wickets in five List-A games |
Seamer | Mohammed Siraj | 15 ODI wickets in 2025 |
Reserves: Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed.
Talking Points
Leadership Nod For Iyer
Chopra rewards Iyer’s twin IPL finals with the captaincy, signalling faith in his tactical instincts despite the BCCI snub.Return Of Rishabh Pant
The keeper-batter slots straight in after proving fitness in domestic white-ball games.Spin-Heavy Balance
Krunal, Sundar and Bishnoi provide three contrasting options, useful on UAE pitches.Pace With Variety
Siraj’s new-ball movement pairs with Prasidh’s bounce to mimic the roles played by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in the main squad.
What It Means For Overlooked Stars
Selectors have stressed that omissions are “not the end of the road.” Chopra’s list underlines exactly that: intense competition means a single big tournament—or a well-timed domestic run—could catapult any of these names back into contention before the 2026 T20 World Cup.