India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has sparked plenty of debate, with veteran spinner R Ashwin sharing his honest views. While he welcomed Shubman Gill’s comeback and his appointment as vice-captain, R Ashwin didn’t hold back when criticizing the omissions of Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal, both of whom had excellent IPL 2025 seasons.
Gill Returns as Vice-Captain, But Debate Follows
The BCCI surprised fans by bringing Gill back into the T20I squad after more than a year and even making him Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy. His consistent performances for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 and his growing leadership reputation were key reasons for the recall.
Ashwin agreed with the call but pointed out what he saw as inconsistencies in the selection. “The selection of Shubman Gill is okay… he has scored a lot of runs and has the credentials to be vice-captain,” he said. At the same time, the 37-year-old stressed that leaving out Iyer and Jaiswal, both of whom were outstanding in the IPL, was a mistake.
R Ashwin Questions Shreyas Iyer’s Exclusion
R Ashwin’s strongest words were saved for Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion. The middle-order batter scored 604 runs in 17 matches for Punjab Kings, even guiding them to their first IPL final since 2014. His technique against short-pitched bowling and calm leadership earned him wide praise.
Ashwin questioned the selectors bluntly: “What has Shreyas done wrong? He won games for KKR, then took Punjab to the final. He’s hitting Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah with ease. The improvement in his game is remarkable. To leave him out is extremely unfair.”
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His comments underline the ongoing debate about India’s selection policies – should current form, past records, or future planning matter most?
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Surprise Omission
Perhaps the bigger shock was Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion. The young left-hander smashed 559 runs in 14 matches for Rajasthan Royals at a strike rate of 165, cementing his reputation as one of India’s most fearless stroke players.
R Ashwin sympathized with Jaiswal, suggesting the youngster may need to rethink his approach. “He might have to shift to the middle order or fight for Abhishek Sharma’s slot. It’s very tough because he’s already averaging 36 and striking at 165. Players like him don’t come often,” he said.
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He also warned of the risks such decisions create: “If I’m Jaiswal or Shreyas, next time I won’t take risks for the team. I’ll play for myself just to save my place. That’s unfortunate for Indian cricket.”
Selection Debate Intensifies
R Ashwin summed up the selection dilemma, calling it a “thankless” task but still questioning the choices made. “When you have Jaiswal as your third opener and still remove someone from a World Cup-winning squad to fit Gill in, it’s just not fair,” he insisted.
The controversy highlights a larger challenge in Indian cricket: finding the right balance between backing young attacking players and trusting experienced campaigners. With the Asia Cup 2025 serving as a crucial warm-up for the T20 World Cup 2026, the decisions taken now could shape India’s future.
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