The continental tournament will be played in UAE from September 9 to September 28.
The Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup T20, set to be announced on Tuesday (August 19), could present a tricky challenge for Ajit Agarkar's selection panel, with some tough calls expected.
With a few days remaining for the squad announcement, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif unveiled his preferred Indian lineup for the continental tournament, slated to be held in UAE from September 9 to September 28.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh failed to make a cut in Kaif’s team. While arguing against Jaiswal, Kaif said that the southpaw is competing against Shubman Gill for the position of back-up opener, and only one between the two can make it to the squad.
Kaif added that considering Gill's heroics on the tour of England, where the visitors managed to pull off a 2-2 draw, the Test captain needs to be rewarded with a place in the squad.
Kaif further stated that even Mohammed Siraj needs to be rewarded for his impressive exploits in the England Tests, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps.
“Only one between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal can make the team. The way in which Shubman Gill approached the England series, he made it 2-2. He scored 754 runs. He also scored runs in the IPL, so I feel he should be there in the squad,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
“He might not make it to the playing XI, but he should be there in the squad. He should be there as the backup opener. Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill should be rewarded for their performances in the England Test series,” he added.
Kaif reckons wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma will be picked in the Indian squad for his brilliant performances in RCB’s IPL 2025 title win. He also said that Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar will make his playing XI as all-rounders.
Kaif named Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as the premier spinners, while picking Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj as the frontline seamers.
Mohammad Kaif's India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Jitesh Sharma.