Sports Desk
20 August
Tv10punjab
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 15-member Team India squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be played in the UAE from 9 September. As expected, most of the regular faces have found a place in the squad, but there were also a few surprises in the final selection.
Suryakumar Yadav to Lead, Gill Named Deputy
Middle-order star Suryakumar Yadav has been handed the captaincy for this tournament. His consistent form in T20 cricket and leadership experience in domestic cricket made him the first choice. The selectors also showed faith in young opener Shubman Gill, who has been appointed as the vice-captain. Gill’s inclusion was one of the most talked-about points before the squad announcement, and now he is set to play a key leadership role.
Openers and Top-Order Strength
Selectors have placed their trust in the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, both of whom bring firepower at the top. Abhishek Sharma, who is currently the world’s No. 2 ranked T20 batsman, will play a crucial role in providing aggressive starts. Along with him, Tilak Varma, another highly ranked young batsman, has also been included to strengthen the top order.
Middle-Order Firepower
The middle order looks strong and experienced. Apart from skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the lineup features Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dube. These players offer a mix of batting depth and all-round capabilities, giving balance to the team. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma has also been included, while Sanju Samson provides another option behind the stumps.
Bowling Attack
In the bowling department, India will rely on a mix of pace and spin. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace attack, supported by promising youngster Harshit Rana. For spin, the selectors have chosen Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, giving India both left-arm wrist spin and mystery spin options. This balanced bowling attack is expected to handle conditions in the UAE effectively.
Full Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
Abhishek Sharma
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya
Shivam Dube
Axar Patel
Jitesh Sharma
Jasprit Bumrah
Varun Chakravarthy
Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav
Sanju Samson
Harshit Rana
Rinku Singh
India Aim for 9th Asia Cup Title
The Asia Cup 2025 will be the 17th edition of the tournament. India enters the event not only aiming to win but also to defend their title, which they won in 2023 under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. With 8 Asia Cup trophies already, India remains the most successful team in the history of the competition. Winning this edition would mark their 9th Asia Cup victory, further extending their dominance in the tournament.
With a mix of youth and experience, Team India looks well-prepared to repeat history and lift the Asia Cup once again.