NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, retaining Suryakumar Yadav as captain and reinstating Shubman Gill as vice-captain of the T20I side.
Gill, who replaces Axar Patel as the deputy, is likely to partner either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson at the top of the order.
His return marks a significant boost for India, especially after his brilliant Champions Trophy campaign and dominant showing in the England Test series earlier this year.
He also shone in IPL 2025, hammering 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87 for the Gujarat Titans.
The middle order includes the ever-reliable Suryakumar, explosive talents like Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and finisher Jitesh Sharma, who is expected to take up wicketkeeping duties.
India’s squad carries all-around depth, with Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube offering versatility across departments.
In the bowling unit, Jasprit Bumrah returns to spearhead the attack alongside left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh.
The spin department features Kuldeep Yadav and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, while Harshit Rana adds youthful pace and lower-order hitting power.
In a notable twist, rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal has been placed in the reserves, joined by Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag.
The biggest surprise, however, was the omission of Shreyas Iyer, despite his spectacular IPL 2025 performance – where he scored 604 runs and led Punjab Kings to the final.
The Asia Cup 2025, featuring eight teams split into two groups, kicks off on September 9. India is placed in Group A with arch-rivals Pakistan, UAE, and Oman.
The Men in Blue begin their campaign on September 10 against the UAE in Dubai, before facing Pakistan on September 14 in what promises to be a blockbuster clash.
They will wrap up the group stage against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Squad
Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill (vc), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson
Reserves: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel
India’s Group Stage Fixtures
India vs UAE – September 10, Dubai
India vs Pakistan – September 14, Dubai
India vs Oman – September 19, Abu Dhabi
