With the Asia Cup 2025 just weeks away, excitement is building as fans wait to see who makes India’s T20 squad.
The tournament will be played in the shorter format this time, and the selectors seem determined to stick to a clear T20 blueprint, even if that means leaving out some well-known and in-form players. Under the likely leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the squad could look quite different from what many fans expect.
Big Exclusion: Shubman Gill
One of the most surprising omissions could be Shubman Gill. Despite his consistency across formats and a brilliant run in Tests and ODIs, Gill might not fit into the selectors’ preferred T20 style. Reports suggest that Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are being considered ahead of him for the opening slots, which could push Gill out of the squad.
KL Rahul in Trouble
Another major name in danger of missing out is KL Rahul. Even though he performed well during the England tour, his role as a wicketkeeper-batter looks uncertain. With Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma ahead of him in the pecking order, Rahul’s place in the T20 side seems shaky.
Mohammed Siraj Likely to Miss Out
In the bowling department, Mohammed Siraj might be dropped. The reason is straightforward: Jasprit Bumrah’s return. India’s pace spearhead is expected to walk straight back into the squad, leaving little room for Siraj.
Shreyas Iyer Still Out of Plans
The selectors also appear set to continue overlooking Shreyas Iyer for the T20 format. This shows a clear and consistent approach of looking beyond Iyer when it comes to the shortest format.
Rivals Make Big Calls Too
The report also points out a major development from across the border. Pakistan have dropped both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from their Asia Cup 2025 squad, hinting at a big shake-up in their T20 approach as well.
KL Rahul’s Hopes for a Return
Despite the uncertainty, KL Rahul has made his intentions clear. During a post-match interview in the IPL, he said he wants to make a comeback in India’s T20I side.
Rishabh Pant’s Injury Woes
India’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is in doubt for the Asia Cup after fracturing his foot during the 4th Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.
Sanju Samson to Step In
With Pant likely to miss out, Sanju Samson is expected to take over the wicketkeeping duties for India in the Asia Cup 2025.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Setback
Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy impressed in recent games but might miss out after suffering a knee injury on the England tour.
Jasprit Bumrah Set for Rest
The hero of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, Jasprit Bumrah, may not feature in the Asia Cup 2025. The selectors are reportedly considering resting him to manage his workload and keep him fresh for bigger assignments later this year.
Arshdeep Singh to Lead the Attack
With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, Arshdeep Singh is likely to lead India’s pace attack in the Asia Cup 2025. It’s a big responsibility for the left-arm seamer, but one he has shown he can handle.
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