The suspense is finally over! The BCCI has unveiled India’s highly anticipated 15-member squad for Asia Cup 2025, and there’s plenty to unpack. Suryakumar Yadav retains the leadership mantle, while Shubman Gill returns in style—elevated to vice-captain.
Image Credit: BCCI
But in an eyebrow-raising twist, Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been left out, leaving fans and pundits stirring conversations.
A Big Day in Mumbai
The much-awaited announcement was made after the selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, met in Mumbai. Fans had been eagerly refreshing live updates all day, speculating about surprise inclusions and exclusions. And true to expectations, the squad announcement delivered both reassurance and intrigue.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28, with India placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Their first clash will be against UAE on September 10, followed by the blockbuster India vs Pakistan match on September 14 in Dubai.
Shubman Gill’s Big Promotion
Gill’s appointment as vice-captain is easily the biggest talking point. At just 25, the young opener has already made a mark in all formats, captaining India in Tests and proving his mettle in high-pressure situations.
Why Gill?
Consistency Across Formats: Gill has been one of India’s most reliable batters in recent years, delivering in Tests, ODIs, and the IPL.
Future Leadership Plans: With Rohit Sharma stepping away from T20s and Virat Kohli focusing on Tests, the BCCI clearly sees Gill as a long-term investment.
Balance of Experience & Youth: Surya brings flair and fearless batting to T20s, while Gill represents calmness and composure — the perfect combination for crunch tournaments.
This dual leadership model ensures that India is not just preparing for the Asia Cup but also shaping the roadmap for the 2026 T20 World Cup and beyond.
Player
Role / Key Info
Suryakumar Yadav (c)
Captain, aggressive middle-order dynamo
Shubman Gill (vc)
Vice-captain; back after a T20 hiatus
Abhishek Sharma
Explosive opener, top-ranked T20 batter
Sanju Samson
Wicketkeeper-batsman with power and flair
Tilak Varma
Stylish left-hander, flexible batting role
Rinku Singh
Finisher known for late-innings fireworks
Hardik Pandya
All-rounder delivering both bat and pace
Shivam Dube
Big-hitter, part-time medium pacer
Axar Patel
Spin-batting all-rounder, balance provider
Kuldeep Yadav
Lethal left-arm wrist spinner
Varun Chakravarthy
Mystery spinner, UAE conditions specialist
Jasprit Bumrah
Return of the pace spearhead
Arshdeep Singh
Left-arm pace with swing potential
Harshit Rana
Young pacer included for depth
Jitesh Sharma
Hard-hitting keeper-batsman, ideal for middle order
Based on the latest reports, these five players have been officially named as standbys, ready to step into the final squad if needed:
Standby Player
Role / Why on Standby List
Prasidh Krishna
Fast-bowling backup—great insurance for pace unit
Washington Sundar
Spin-batting all-rounder offering flexibility
Dhruv Jurel
Backup wicketkeeper, strong middle-order source
Riyan Parag
Young explosive batter, potential game-changer
Yashasvi Jaiswal
First-choice opener potential; ready if needed
Having a solid group of standbys ensures Team India is ready for any last-minute changes without compromising quality.
#WATCH | On Shubman Gill included in the squad for Asia Cup 2025, Team India's T20 Captain Suryakumar Yadav says, "I think the last time when he played T20 for Team India, post T20 World Cup, when we went to Sri Lanka, I was leading and he was the Vice Captain. That's where we… pic.twitter.com/g6oNMMPzWm
The selectors have excluded Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer from the main Asia Cup 2025 squad. Despite Iyer’s remarkable IPL season with the Punjab Kings, where he lit up the tournament with his batting, the national selectors have chosen not to hand him an opportunity in this continental event.
Context: What This Squad Signals
T20 World Cup Ready: With less than a year to go until 2026, the Asia Cup becomes a proving ground—with leadership, balance, and bench strength on the table.
Batting Depth: From Abhishek’s firepower to protections by Rinku and Tilak’s elegance, India’s batting is both versatile and deep.
Bowling Variety: Spin-heavy with Kuldeep, Chakravarthy, Axar—and pace anchored by Bumrah, supported by Arshdeep and Rana.
Future Vision: By elevating Gill, India is quietly charting its leadership roadmap.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad is as strategic as it is bold. Gill’s comeback isn’t just a return—it’s a signal of intent, blending continuity and vision.
The exclusion of Iyer and Jaiswal may raise eyebrows, but selection is ruthlessly form-based. With firepower, experience, and spin-heavy spin options, India heads into the UAE ready to assert itself.
