Madan Lal also talked about Shubman Gill as potential India captain in all three formats.
Suryakumar Yadav will captain the team, and Shubman Gill, who was named vice-captain, is on the roster. Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal are two prominent absentees.
Madan Lal commented on the current team announcement and expressed astonishment, particularly at Yashasvi Jaiswal's absence. Madan Lal also questioned why Hardik Pandya was not in the leadership discussion anymore.
Hardik Pandya was India’s T20I captain in the 2022-23 season when Rohit Sharma was focusing on the ODI format. When Rohit Sharma retired from the T20I format after winning the T20 World Cup 2024, many expected Hardik Pandya to be named the captain, as he was the vice-captain for the ICC event.
However, the BCCI selection committee threw a curveball and named Suryakumar Yadav as the new India T20I captain, totally removing Hardik Pandya from the leadership group.
Madan Lal also expressed satisfaction with Shubman Gill's choice as vice-captain, hoping he'll play in all three formats, and wishes that with such a good team, India should win the Asia Cup.
“Sometimes you feel surprised that a player like Yashasvi Jaiswal is not in the team... I don't know why Hardik Pandya has been removed. But Gill is a good choice, as he is performing well. In the coming time, Gill may play in all three formats. The players who make the team win a match must not be left out. We have such a good team that we may win the Asia Cup,” Madan Lal told ANI.
Jaiswal has been included in the standby list, along with Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28 and will see India grouped with Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE in Group A. India will start their tournament on September 10 in the UAE against the hosts.