The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member Indian Cricket Team Men’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 on August 19 in Mumbai. India, the defending champions, will travel to the United Arab Emirates with a squad that reflects both continuity and change. Suryakumar Yadav remains captain, Shubman Gill has been promoted as vice-captain, while Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav return to the T20I setup. The absence of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer from the main squad created immediate intrigue, sparking extensive debate across cricketing world.
The squad for Asia Cup 2025 was announced at a press conference addressed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav. Both underlined the importance of a balanced team in the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. The most significant development came in the leadership group. Axar Patel, long seen as a deputy to Suryakumar Yadav, was replaced by Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Agarkar described Gill as “a long-term investment” in leadership, while Suryakumar spoke about Gill’s ability to steady the group in pressure situations. The decision represents a move toward establishing Gill as a central figure across formats.
Full Squad Overview
Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Standbys: Yashasvi Jaiswal ,Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Prasiddh Krishna, Washington Sundar
Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill will lead the batting line-up, with Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh providing support. Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel are all-rounders who can bat and bowl. Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma have been entrusted as the wicketkeeper-batters.
The bowling attack sees Jasprit Bumrah’s return as lead pacer, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana forming the pace unit. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy strengthen the spin department. Among the standbys, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel provide cover.
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Notable Omissions & Standbys
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s relegation to standby and Shreyas Iyer’s complete omission were the most-discussed outcomes of the squad announcement. Agarkar explained that Abhishek Sharma’s left-handed batting and part-time spin offered balance the team required, even if it meant leaving out Jaiswal despite his form. On Iyer, Agarkar was candid: “You need to tell me who he can replace. It’s not about form, but simply about the combination we needed.”
“It’s unfortunate that Shreyas Iyer misses out. It’s no fault of his, but neither ours. He has to wait for his chance”. (Ajit Agarkar on Shreyas Iyer not in Asia Cup 2025 Squad)
While selectors stressed that the decisions were about balance, fans saw it as a harsh call given both players’ recent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL.
Asia Cup 2025 Overview
India alongside Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman all will compete in Group A. On September 10, India will face the United Arab Emirates in Dubai to start their Asia Cup 2025 campaign. On September 14, they will face Pakistan at the same location. The last group match versus Oman is scheduled for September 19 in Abu Dhabi. The tournament will end on September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Conclusion
The mix of prominent stars and ambitious young players in India’s 2025 Asia Cup squad demonstrates the selectors’ attempt to find the ideal balance between experience and new talent. India’s T20 team is still led by Suryakumar Yadav, and Shubman Gill’s elevation to vice-captain suggests that he will play a bigger role in determining the direction of Indian cricket in the future. The presence of talented all-rounders provides depth in both batting and bowling, while the return of Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah gives the bowling attack much-needed strength and confidence.
Yes, the exclusions of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer have sparked plenty of debate, but the final squad still looks capable of carrying Team India all the way. With youth blending seamlessly with experience, India will step into the Asia Cup not just to defend their crown, but to push for a record ninth title and to build momentum toward the bigger prize waiting at the upcoming T20 World Cup.