The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a bold move ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. In a decision that surprised many fans, five standby players — Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel — will not travel to Dubai with the Indian squad.
The news has quickly sparked debates among cricket experts and supporters, especially because all five players had strong performances in domestic and IPL cricket recently.
Standby Players to Stay Back
A senior BCCI official clarified that the standby cricketers will remain in India and will not accompany the squad as net bowlers or backup players. “No, the standby players will not be travelling with the main squad to Dubai,” the official confirmed.
This means if India faces unexpected injuries or fitness issues during the tournament, these players will only be flown in as replacements, not as part of the initial travel group.
Interestingly, while the Asia Cup rules allow 17-member squads, India has chosen to travel with only 15 players. This shows that the selectors and team management have strong faith in their first-choice lineup.
The opening duties will be shared between Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson, leaving little room for Jaiswal despite his proven talent as a top-order batter. Similarly, Prasidh Krishna, who had an impressive IPL 2025 season, finds himself sidelined despite his potential to strengthen India’s pace attack.
Travel and Training Plans
Unlike previous tournaments where the team gathered in Mumbai before departure, this time the players will fly directly from their respective cities to Dubai. They are expected to land on September 4, with their first practice session scheduled for September 5 at the ICC Academy.
India’s campaign begins on September 10 against UAE, followed by the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 14.
Asia Cup 2025 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Excluded Players | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel |
| Squad Size | 15 players (instead of 17) |
| Travel Date | September 4 (direct from home cities) |
| First Training | September 5, ICC Academy, Dubai |
| Tournament Start | September 10 vs UAE |
| Big Clash | India vs Pakistan on September 14 |
India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025: Surya Kumar 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
In Shorts:
The exclusion of five promising players from the Asia Cup 2025 travel list has left fans both puzzled and disappointed. However, the BCCI’s strategy clearly highlights its faith in a lean, powerful squad capable of handling pressure.
Whether this bold decision pays off or backfires will depend on how well India’s chosen 15 perform on the big stage in Dubai. One thing is certain — cricket lovers will be glued to every ball, waiting to see if the gamble works in India’s favor.
