Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal – R Ashwin Weighs In On Asia Cup 2025 Selection: The Asia Cup is just around the corner, starting on September 9 and running until September 28. India’s squad will be announced on August 19, and some bold calls are expected as the team looks to lock in a strong combination ahead of the T20 World Cup early next year. One of the biggest questions right now is who will get the nod between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Shubman Gill vs Yashasvi Jaiswal
It’s unlikely that both will make the cut. Gill has been brilliant in Tests and ODIs, even enjoying a superb Test series in England recently, but he has yet to nail down a spot in India’s T20 setup. Yashasvi Jaiswal, meanwhile, has often been looked at as Rohit Sharma’s long-term replacement. With Rohit Sharma stepping away from T20Is after leading India to the 2024 World Cup title, Yashasvi Jaiswal seems to be in prime position.
R Ashwin’s Take
According to R Ashwin, Yashasvi Jaiswal has the edge in this contest. He believes the path is clearer for Jaiswal than it is for Gill. While there are reports suggesting Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma could be the chosen opening pair, R Ashwin feels Jaiswal’s spot is practically sealed.
“There are a few talking points regarding the Asia Cup. The first question that comes to everyone’s mind is whether Shubman Gill fits into the T20 plans because in the last World Cup, Yashasvi Jaiswal was the backup opener. So Jaiswal automatically gets a kick-in. Rohit Sharma is not going to be a part of that team, so Jaiswal automatically gets a look-in,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“Now, who is going to be that other opener? Shubman Gill had an outstanding series. Can he return to the squad? Sanju Samson has had a fabulous run as a T20 opener for India. So I think it is a tricky state for the selectors,” he added.
India’s Record in the Asia Cup
India will head into the tournament as defending champions, having lifted the trophy in the ODI format in 2023. This year’s edition will be only the third time the Asia Cup is played in T20I format. India won the first-ever T20 version in 2016, while Sri Lanka took the title in 2022.
Overall, India have dominated the competition, winning eight out of sixteen editions since the tournament began in 1984. Sri Lanka follow with six titles, and Pakistan have two.
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