New Delhi, August 19, 2025: The suspense around Shubman Gill’s role in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 finally ended on Tuesday as the BCCI announced India’s 15-member squad for the continental tournament. The selection was confirmed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar alongside T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, following a key meeting with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and the national selection committee.
While Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, Shubman Gill has been appointed vice-captain, signaling the management’s long-term faith in the young opener’s leadership potential. India will also bank on the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, whose fitness remains crucial ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup next year.
Big Misses: Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal Left Out
The squad announcement sparked debate as two of the IPL’s top performers, Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal, were excluded from the main squad. Iyer scored 604 runs in IPL 2025, while Jaiswal amassed 559 runs, combining for a tally of 1,163 runs. Despite their stellar form, neither found a place in the core 15. Jaiswal, however, has been included among the five reserves, while Iyer has been overlooked entirely.
Another surprising inclusion was Rinku Singh, who endured a modest IPL 2025 season but still secured a berth in the squad. This decision suggests the selectors are backing his finishing abilities and temperament under pressure, which he has showcased in the past.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Squad
Main squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel.
Squad Analysis
The team features a strong spin attack with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, while Axar Patel adds balance as an all-rounder. In the pace department, Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and young Harshit Rana provide variety. The middle order will rely on Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh, with Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson handling wicketkeeping duties.
Selectors have clearly opted for form and future planning over IPL statistics, giving chances to youngsters like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma while keeping seasoned players like Iyer and Jaiswal waiting.
Road Ahead
The Asia Cup 2025 will serve as a crucial preparatory tournament for Team India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. With a mix of youth and experience, India’s squad reflects an intent to groom future leaders while maintaining a competitive balance.
