Shubman Gill is likely to return to the T20I squad for the Asia Cup.
The newly-appointed Indian skipper amassed a staggering 754 runs in 10 innings, including four hundreds. His stunning exploits helped India level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.
After the blockbuster England tour, there has been a growing consensus over wanting Gill's return to the shortest format. The 25-year-old has not played a T20I match since July 2024, amid the priority over Test cricket and ODIs.
While Gill's place and designation in the squad remain a major topic of discussion, the position of Rinku Singh in the 15-member squad is also under threat.
Rinku was picked in the Indian team for the role of a finisher in 2023 after he smashed five consecutive sixes off a Yash Dayal over to win an IPL game for KKR. Despite doing well in limited opportunities, the southpaw failed to make a cut in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad (he was on stand by).
A low-key IPL 2024, where he faced only 113 balls, and a similar 2025 season (134 balls) hinted at a reduced role. Considering the competition for each batting slot, it can’t be said with certainty that Rinku will be an automatic choice going into the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year. As for the Asia Cup 2025, the left-hander’s position looks a bit weak at the moment.
If all are fit and available, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are automatic selections in top-five. Now with Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal back in the scheme of things, the selectors will have to make some tough calls with regards to one or two slots.
Both Gill and Jaiswal are unlikely to be in the same squad till Abhishek and Sanju are automatic choices as openers.
"We often hear people saying, one should pick so and so but no one would be able to definitively tell us 'in place of whom'? Shreyas Iyer has 600 runs at a strike-rate of 180 but he bats in top four. Where is the place for him. Even as you include Shubman as he is flavour of the season, where do you cut corners," a former national selector told PTI.
"You can't disturb your top five right now and also pick Shubman. And if you pick Shubman now, obviously the Test captain and IPL team captain won't sit out."
"So where do you make the compromise? I only see Rinku's spot being iffy as he isn't required as much some of the top order batters. And mind it, we aren't even talking about Jaiswal," the selector said.
If Rinku faces axing, there would still be a Shivam Dube (as Nitish Reddy is unlikely to get fit) and a Jitesh Sharma (second keeper), who could well play that finisher's role. Not to forget Shivam can chip in with a few overs while Jitesh can keep wickets.
During Gambhir's tenure, one dimensional cricketers in the middle and lower order are considered outdated and hence all eyes will be on Rinku's position in the squad.
(With PTI Inputs)