Questions also hang over the selection of Mohammed Siraj for the continental tournament.
India’s ace opener and Test captain Shubman Gill is unlikely to be selected for the Asia Cup 2025 when the BCCI selectors meet in Mumbai on Tuesday (August 19) to pick the Indian squad for the continental tournament, Cricbuzz reported.
The Asia Cup 2025, an eight-team tournament, will be played in the UAE from September 9 to 29.
As per the report, Shubman Gill, who hammered 754 runs in the recent five-Test series in England, is not likely to force his way into the Indian T20I team. He had 650 runs in IPL 2025 as well, but the BCCI selectors are set to continue with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top for now.
Coming to the third opener slot, while Gill’s name is sure to be discussed, Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender for that spot. He was also the backup opener when India won the T20 World Cup 2024.
Jaiswal seems to have the advantage and is predicted to be selected for the September 9–28 championship. Both could be chosen, but as of right now, Gill appears to be losing ground unless Gautam Gambhir makes a compelling argument for the Test captain.
Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rinku Singh are probably the other batters in the team; a batting position is still up for debate.
Shreyas Iyer, who led from the front for IPL finalists Punjab Kings, might not be as lucky as Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar, who are also contenders. It is anticipated that Jitesh Sharma will take the position of second wicketkeeper.
Coming to the bowling side, Mohammed Siraj, who was the Player of the Final in India’s Asia Cup 2023 win in Sri Lanka and the highest wicket-taker in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test series, may struggle to find a place.
Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be the leader of the pace attack, and Arshdeep Singh is set to be picked. One of Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana, or both, might also be picked in the Indian squad. Hardik Pandya will remain the pace bowling all-rounder option in the bowling attack.
The chosen spinners will be Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and vice-captain Axar Patel. Washington Sundar, who was included in the previous T20I team in February, is probably going to get a spot, although it is not guaranteed.
(Cricbuzz report)