India has formally revealed their 15-man T20I team for the eagerly anticipated Asia Cup 2025, which takes place in the UAE. Suryakumar Yadav will preside over the team, meanwhile Shubman Gill came back into the fold as vice-captain, adding intrigue to the captaincy as Axar Patel was dropped.
The selection from the BCCI was confirmed in Mumbai on Tuesday, as with it, India embarks on a new T20I cycle with the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon.
Shubman Gill’s Comeback and Leadership Role
After a short break from the T20I format, Shubman Gill has returned to the team with increased responsibility. Recent performances from him across formats notably his impressive display in the five-Test series against England and title-winning stint in the Champions Trophy have reinstated him as the top bat in India’s order.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar pointed to Gill’s leadership qualities and praised his penchant for performing well under pressure, particularly in the challenging tour of England where he captained India to a 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
“We have seen leadership qualities in Shubman, and his recent form has been beyond expectations,” Agarkar stated.
Gill also aggregated 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87 during IPL 2025, further cementing his case for a significant batting position in the Asia Cup.
Key Picks and Surprising Omissions
The team has a combination of youth and experience. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are the probable partners with Gill at the top order, whereas middle-order responsibilities will be shared by Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and Jitesh Sharma the latter also being the front-runner for the wicketkeeping position.
The team boasts three all-rounders who can play multiple roles: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube. For the bowling attack, India will depend on Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Harshit Rana who also contributes depth as a batsman.
But there was no space for Yashasvi Jaiswal or Shreyas Iyer in the senior team. Jaiswal is listed among the reserves, along with Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel.
After a stunning IPL 2025 season with 604 runs at a strike rate of 175 and Punjab Kings going to the final, Shreyas Iyer still didn’t make it. Agarkar articulated the challenge in deciding on only 15 players and added, “It’s not about form, it’s about combinations and team balance.”
Asia Cup 2025: A Launchpad for the T20 World Cup
India is placed together with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman in Group A of the Asia Cup 2025, which will be hosted in the UAE. The competition is the team’s first big test after the 2024 T20 World Cup and is considered a vital preparatory step for 2026.
India’s Group Stage Schedule – Asia Cup 2025:
vs UAE – September 10, Dubai
vs Pakistan – September 14, Dubai
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vs Oman – September 19, Abu Dhabi
Team captain Suryakumar Yadav sees this tournament as the beginning of a crucial phase.
“We’ve played a few bilaterals, but this is our first major tournament since the World Cup. With 20-22 T20Is before the next World Cup, this is where our journey begins,” said Suryakumar.
Full India Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
Hardik Pandya
Abhishek Sharma
Tilak Varma
Shivam Dube
Axar Patel
Jitesh Sharma
Sanju Samson
Rinku Singh
Jasprit Bumrah
Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav
Varun Chakravarthy
Harshit Rana
Reserve Players:
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Riyan Parag
Washington Sundar
Dhruv Jurel
Prasidh Krishna
The inclusion of Shubman Gill as vice-captain brings both form and leadership depth to the Indian team going into the Asia Cup 2025. With a good balance of youth and experience, the side appears well-equipped to face the continent’s top teams and begin their blueprint to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
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