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Why is India's Team for Asia Cup 2025 sparking controversy?

  • arjunveersingh
  • Aug 19
  • 2 min read

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The cricketing excitement is building up as India confirms its 15‑member squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, set to be played from September 9 to 28 in the UAE. Here's our deep-dive into what makes this team tick – and what surprises are lurking in the mix.


Leading from the Front: Captaincy and Leadership Shuffle


  • Suryakumar Yadav takes the reins as Captain, a nod to his dynamic T20 leadership and form.

  • Shubman Gill returns not just as a squad member, but as Vice‑Captain, reaffirming faith in his form and leadership credentials.


The Chosen 15: India’s Asia Cup Squad


Here’s the full roster as declared by BCCI on August 19, 2025


Squad Members:

  • Suryakumar 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


Standby Players:

  • Yashasvi Jaiswal

  • Prasidh Krishna

  • Riyan Parag

  • Dhruv Jurel


What Stands Out – And What's Missing


Dynamic Picks


  • The combination of youth and experience is evident: power-hitters like Hardik Pandya, wrist-spinners like Kuldeep and Varun, death-over specialists like Bumrah and Arshdeep, and all-round options like Axar and Dube.

  • Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana – gutsy picks with big-match temperament, even if their IPL 2025 campaigns weren’t standout


Controversial Omissions


  • Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal were notable absentees. Iyer didn’t even make the standby list, while Jaiswal was included among reserves

  • Experts and fans weren’t happy. Former cricketer Abhishek Nayar even hinted at favoritism toward players associated with coach Gautam Gambhir, linking the selection of certain players to IPL affiliations


What This Squad Signals


Strategy & Depth


BCCI seems to be preparing for a high-pressure display of match-ups:

  • Strong openers and middle-order cover.

  • Spinners capable of striking in middle overs.

  • A potent pace attack, both in powerplay and death overs.


T20 World Cup Prep


With the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon, this tournament is likely a testing ground. Suryakumar’s captaincy, Gill’s return, and the inclusion of versatile backups seem aimed at building a resilient bench strength.


Fan Sentiments

Public reaction has been mixed—celebratory for Gill’s return, skeptical over Iyer’s snub.


The Road Ahead: Key Dates & Fixtures


  • Group Stage: India begins against UAE on September 10, followed by a headline-grabbing clash with Pakistan on September 14


In Summary


India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025 is a calculated blend of emerging firepower and established talent—led by Suryakumar Yadav with Shubman Gill stepping up as vice-captain. The team reflects strategic depth, with the potential to solidify combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup.


Yet, the stir stirred by omissions like Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal underscores the high-stakes nature of selection—and ignites fiery fan debates.


Looking forward: will this squad deliver continental supremacy? Or will the whispers around team selection grow louder as the tournament unfolds?


 
 
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