The 15-member squad for the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2025 has been revealed. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the media, offering plenty of insights into the selection process. Several surprising decisions made waves, including Shubman Gill’s return as vice-captain, the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability. Here’s a look at the most talked-about points from the press conference.
Shubman Gill Returns as Vice-Captain
Shubman Gill, who last captained India during the Sri Lanka T20Is in July 2024, made a comeback as the vice-captain for the Asia Cup. Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the decision to bring back Gill was based on his consistency and leadership qualities shown in the recent Test series.
“Shubman Gill played his last T20I as vice-captain in Sri Lanka. After that, he got busy with Test series, but we are happy to have him back in the squad,” Yadav said.
The Absence of Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal
Despite standout IPL performances in 2025, Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal were notably left out of the squad. Agarkar addressed this, emphasizing the team’s balance and the competition for spots.
“It’s not about fault, it’s about the balance of the squad. Shreyas will have to wait for his chance. As for Yashasvi, it’s unfortunate. Abhishek Sharma has done well and offers a little bit of everything,” Agarkar explained.
Sanju Samson’s Position Under Scrutiny
During the press conference, Agarkar revealed that Sanju Samson’s place in the starting XI isn’t guaranteed for the Asia Cup. His recent inclusion came only due to the unavailability of Gill and Jaiswal for T20Is, which has raised questions about his future role.
“Sanju was playing because Shubman and Yashasvi were unavailable. It’s a tough call,” Agarkar said.
Could Shubman Gill Become India’s All-Format Captain?
Shubman Gill’s role as vice-captain in T20Is has led to speculation about his future leadership prospects in all formats. While Rohit Sharma currently leads India in ODIs, his long-term future remains uncertain. Agarkar was asked whether Gill could eventually lead India across formats, but he chose not to comment on it directly.
“Right now, we’re talking about T20 and Test cricket. He has shown great leadership qualities, but we’ll take it one step at a time,” Agarkar said.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Workload Management
Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the Asia Cup has been a major talking point. Despite concerns regarding his workload management after a series of injuries, Bumrah confirmed his availability for the tournament. Agarkar reassured fans that the pacer’s workload would be managed carefully for key events.
“We know how valuable Bumrah is. There’s no written plan, but the management and physios are always in touch to ensure his availability for the big games,” Agarkar confirmed.
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