Breaking: Team India Announces Squad for Asia Cup 2025
The squad reflects a fine balance of youth and experience, with the selectors backing proven performers while also providing opportunities to in-form youngsters. Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side, while Shubman Gill has been officially named as the vice-captain, signaling his growing role in the team’s leadership group.
One of the biggest talking points leading into the announcement was the fitness of senior players. Jasprit Bumrah, who recently returned to action after managing his workload, has been declared fit and will spearhead India’s pace attack. Alongside him, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh have been included to bolster the seam-bowling department. Hardik Pandya also returns in the role of a pace-bowling all-rounder, giving the team much-needed balance.
In the batting department, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain the experienced pillars at the top. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to play key roles as India looks to solidify its opening combination. The middle order has a mix of reliability and firepower with Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav all making the cut. Rahul’s return as a wicketkeeping option has eased concerns, but Ishan Kishan has also been retained, giving India the flexibility of a left-handed batting option in the middle order.
On the spin front, the selectors have opted for the tried-and-tested duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Axar Patel also finds a place in the squad, adding depth with both bat and ball. Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been rewarded for his consistent performances, providing India with an attacking wrist-spin option in subcontinental conditions.
The squad announcement also put an end to speculation around veterans like Rishabh Pant, who continues to recover from his injuries and was not considered for selection. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson narrowly missed out, with the selectors preferring the stability of KL Rahul and the versatility of Kishan.
India’s Asia Cup journey begins with a high-voltage clash against archrivals Pakistan, a fixture that always captures the imagination of cricket fans worldwide. With Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan also in the mix, India will face stiff competition in the group stages, making every match vital.
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, speaking at the press conference, emphasized that the squad was chosen with both the Asia Cup and future tournaments in mind. “We wanted to strike a balance between experience and youth. This squad has the right blend of leaders, performers, and emerging players who can make a difference,” he said.
As anticipation builds, fans across the country are buzzing with excitement, debating India’s playing XI combinations and strategies. With a full-strength squad at their disposal, the Men in Blue will look to reclaim Asia Cup glory and build strong momentum for the global tournaments ahead.
Squad:
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