Asia Cup 2025: What can be India's Playing XI?
What's the story
India recently announced their 15-man squad for the 2025 T20 Asia Cup set to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side that saw the return of Shubman Gill as their vice-captain. While star batter Shreyas Iyer missed out, the squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, whose workload management has made headlines. Here's how India's Playing XI can shape up.
Team composition
A look at India's squad
India's squad for Asia Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh. Standby players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Adjustments
Gill's return likely to push Samson out
The return of Gill could push opener Sanju Samson out of the Playing XI. Being the vice-captain, Gill will be a certain starter. Tilak Varma is likely to retain his No. 3 spot, given his impressive T20I record. Although Samson has also fared well at the top with Abhishek Sharma, Tilak, being a left-handed batter, is likely to be preferred. Both Abhishek and Tilak also provide part-time spin options with their bowling.
Player roles
SKY, Dube, Pandya in middle order
Suryakumar Yadav's No. 3 spot was given to Tilak last year, a move that paid off for India. Therefore, the Indian captain is expected to come in at No. 4. All-rounder Shivam Dube, who was part of India's successful T20 World Cup campaign last year, will be one of India's pinch-hitters. However, there could be a toss-up between Dube and the highly-rated Rinku Singh.
Team strategy
Jitesh to replace Samson
As mentioned, Samson could sit out owing to Gill's inclusion. Jitesh Sharma, being a potent finisher, will likely be India's first-choice wicket-keeper. He had a successful IPL 2025 season with champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. India's batting line-up goes deep in the presence of all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. The duo will offer the much-needed cushion to batters by floating up and down in the batting order as required.
Bowling strategy
Bumrah, Arshdeep likely to start
Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are likely to share the new ball for India. Although Bumrah's workload has been the bone of contention, he is likely to play the majority of matches. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav will be India's specialist spinners. Both of them provide plenty of variations. However, India's bowling attack may vary according to the UAE conditions.
Information
India's Probable XI for Asia Cup
India's Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy.