Just pick best openers, finishers, rest can float around as per the situation, says Panchal
India last played a T20I in February 2025, when they beat England 4-1 in a home series and are set to play the shortest format after a six-month hiatus through the Asia Cup. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma have formed the top-order in the past few T20I series.
But with players like Test skipper Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul putting good performances in IPL 2025, the batting order's make-up could make for an interesting look in the squad to be selected by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee in this month.
'I think we obsess too much over batting positions in T20s for the sake of endless discussions and analysis. Just pick the best openers, best finishers, and the rest can float around as per the situation,' wrote Panchal in his 'Ask Me Anything' session on 'X' on Sunday.
India will play its Asia Cup Group A games against UAE and the high-stakes clash against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10 and 14 respectively, while its clash against Oman is slated to happen at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19.
India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are placed in Group A, while Group B comprises of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. It's also the first time Asia Cup, to be held in the T20I format keeping in mind the preparation of teams for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, will have eight teams.
Top two teams from each group will proceed to the Super Fours stage, with the top two facing each other in the title clash in Dubai on September 28. India are the defending champions of the Asia Cup, having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final held in the 50-over format in Colombo. Sri Lanka had won the Asia Cup in the T20I version after beating Pakistan in the final in 2022.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
17 minutes ago
- News18
Surya Or Gill? BCCI Source Gives Big Update About India Captain For Asia Cup 2025
Last Updated: Surya led Team India when they last played a T20I match against England in Mumbai on February 2, 2025, whereas Gill is the current captain of India's Test team. Suryakumar Yadav is the current captain of India's T20I team, but Test captain Shubman Gill's super show with the bat in the recently concluded five-match Test series against England has raised calls for his promotion as India's captain in all three formats of the game. Many fans and experts of the game feel that the 25-year-old right-handed batter from Punjab should be given the leadership role, keeping the future in mind. It was reported earlier this week that Gill could be asked to lead the Indian team in the Asia Cup 2025, but a fresh report in the Times of India on Thursday (August 14) has indicated that Surya will continue to lead the Indian team in the eight-team tournament, which is set to be played from September 9 to 28 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As per TOI, the 34-year-old right-handed batter from Mumbai, who is currently undergoing rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, will fly to Mumbai from Bengaluru to attend the selection committee's meeting for Asia Cup 2025 on August 19. 'The selection meeting will be attended by India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, who will fly to Mumbai from Bengaluru, where he is currently stationed at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) while recuperating after a sports hernia surgery. This development confirms that SKY will continue as India's T20 captain, thus quashing all rumours around India's new Test captain, Shubman Gill, also being given the T20 captaincy now," the TOI report read. It has also been reported that India's Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer won't be picked for the Asia Cup. As per TOI, Jaiswal has been told by the selectors to focus on red-ball cricket. 'With India looking to persist with the opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, Gill is currently struggling to even make it to the side. Even Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had a great series in England, and middle-order bat Shreys Iyer are likely not to be picked for the T20 side. Jaiswal has been told by the selectors to focus on red-ball cricket," a BCCI source was quoted as saying by TOI. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
Jaiswal Told To 'Focus On Red-Ball Cricket', Unlikely To Be Picked For Asia Cup: Report
Last Updated: Jaiswal has 723 runs to his name in 23 T20Is for India. He last played a T20I match for India against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on July 30, 2024. Young left-handed opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal will not be part of India's Asia Cup 2025 squad. According to a report in the Times of India on Thursday (August 14), which quoted a BCCI source as saying, the 23-year-old left-handed batter from Mumbai has been told to focus on red-ball cricket. Jaiswal has scored a total of 723 runs in 23 T20Is for India. He made a case for selection in India's Asia Cup 2025 squad by scoring 559 runs in 14 matches of IPL 2025 for Rajasthan Royals. 'With India looking to persist with the opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, Gill is currently struggling to even make it to the side. Even Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had a great series in England, and middle-order bat Shreys Iyer are likely not to be picked for the T20 side. Jaiswal has been told by the selectors to focus on red-ball cricket," a BCCI source told TOI. The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup will be played in T20I format from September 9 to 28 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Indian men's team will open their campaign on September 10 against the UAE in Dubai and then take on Pakistan in their second Group A match on September 14. India's third Group A match is scheduled against Oman in Abu Dhabi. According to the BCCI source, India's team for the Asia Cup 2025 will be picked on August 19, and after the selection meeting in Mumbai, India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, will attend a press conference. 'Yes, the team for the Asia Cup will be picked on Aug 19 in Mumbai. The selection committee meeting will be followed by a press conference by chief selector, former India pacer Ajit Agarkar," a source in the BCCI said. It has also been reported that India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, will fly from Bengaluru to Mumbai for the selection meeting. The news of Surya attending the selection committee is a clear indication that the 35-year-old right-handed batter from Mumbai will captain the Men in Blue in the eight-team tournament. India last played a T20I match in 2025 on February 2 against England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and secured a win by 150 runs. In that match, world No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma scored 135 runs from just 54 balls. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
BCCI To Announce India's Asia Cup 2025 Squad On This Date
The date for India's squad announcement for the 2025 Asia Cup has been revealed. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to pick and announce India's squad for the 2025 Asia Cup on Tuesday, August 19. According to a report in The Times of India, the meeting will be attended by captain Suryakumar Yadav, who'll fly in from the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to Mumbai. It'll be followed by a press conference from chief selector Ajit Agarkar, as has been customary during his tenure. This is an important squad selection for India, considering this tournament will give insights into the selectors' and captain's vision for the 2026 T20 World Cup in the subcontinent. 'Yes, the team for the Asia Cup will be picked on Aug 19 in Mumbai. The selection committee meeting will be followed by a press conference by chief selector, former India pacer Ajit Agarkar," the report cited a BCCI source as saying. India are in Group 'A' of the tournament and will begin their campaign against UAE on September 10. Important questions for India's 2025 Asia Cup squad There are several unanswered questions about this squad selection, which will probably be discussed in the meeting. A key one is about other-format personnel, players who have been doing well in Tests and ODIs, and whether they warrant a selection here. These include Test skipper Shubman Gill, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, and ODI number four star Shreyas Iyer. Rumors also claim that Gill could be picked as a vice-captain, though that would mean a demotion for Axar Patel, who was Suryakumar's deputy in the last series, against England at home. If Patel, 31, is stuck to as the vice-captain, it'll indicate that the team is happy for him to be the eventual heir for Suryakumar, 34, as of now. Other options like Hardik Pandya could also be in frame. Another thing to look forward to would be Jasprit Bumrah's availability. He not only missed out on the last Test in England (which was expected because he had said he'll only play three), but also left the squad early, raising fears of another injury. Agarkar should provide clarity over his future. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
