Asia Cup squad selection buzz: Big calls, bold omissions await

India Today

6 hours ago

The selection day is closing in on us, and so are the speculations. The Indian selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will sit with captain Suryakumar Yadav and the team management in Mumbai on Tuesday, August 19, to pick the squad for the Asia Cup T20, starting September 9 in the UAE.While the eight-team event comes after a lull in Indian cricket, all eyes are on the meeting, as the squad will likely reveal the thought process of the selectors and the team management, led by Gautam Gambhir, in the build-up to next year's T20 World Cup.advertisementFirst things first: Suryakumar has reportedly cleared a fitness test after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia post-IPL 2025. The Mumbai Indians star is set to lead India in a major tournament for the first time in his career.OPENING LOGJAM: SHUBMAN GILL IN?
The biggest talking point has been the chatter around Shubman Gill. A one-day international mainstay, Gill was handed the Test captaincy after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from the format earlier this year. He silenced critics with a record-breaking series in England, scoring 754 runs and leading India to a 2-2 draw in a fiercely fought five-Test series.It's no surprise Gill is being projected as the next big superstar of Indian cricket. And what do superstars of the past - Kohli, Rohit, Dhoni - have in common? They played across formats. That's why Gill remains in the conversation for the Asia Cup T20 squad, with an eye on next year's World Cup.Since India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph under Rohit and Rahul Dravid, the team has played 20 T20Is. Gill led the first series post title-win -- an away series in Zimbabwe with second-string stars. He was then part of a T20I series in Sri Lanka, which doubled as Gambhir's first assignment as coach.Since then, Gill hasn't featured in T20Is, focusing instead on Tests. In his absence, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have cemented themselves at the top, scoring 535 and 487 runs respectively, at averages of 33 and 34, and blistering strike rates of 193 and 171. They have embodied the fearless, high-tempo cricket India have embraced under Gambhir and Suryakumar.The results speak for themselves: India have looked nearly unbeatable, including a 4-1 thrashing of England earlier this year at home.Yes, Gill is talented enough to play all three formats. But does his approach fit the new T20I template? He scored 650 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 155, but his T20I strike rate stands at 139, dipping to 129.25 in his last seven innings.Complications arise if Gill is indeed named vice-captain, as reported. That would almost force him into the XI, potentially disrupting the well-settled top four. Could he slot in at No. 3 ahead of Tilak Varma? That would be harsh on Tilak, who has 413 runs at a strike rate of 170 and is currently ranked No. 2 in T20I batting.advertisementAnd what about Yashasvi Jaiswal? The Mumbai opener, part of the 2024 World Cup squad, has played only six T20Is since, scoring 221 runs at a strike rate of 170. He also tallied 559 runs at 159.71 in IPL 2025 for Rajasthan Royals. On form alone, Yashasvi deserves to be India's back-up opener in the Asia Cup squad.Meanwhile, wunderkind Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old breakout star of IPL 2025 with a strike rate of 206, continues to excite. He has got the backing of former captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth for a spot in the Asia Cup squad. But the prodigy may have to wait until after next year's World Cup for senior team chances.And then there's Sai Sudharsan, the Orange Cap winner. His consistency has been unquestionable, but his strike rate remains a concern for selectors.THE MIDDLE-ORDER: RIYAN PARAG OUT?Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel are locked-in picks. But reports suggest India are considering a recall for Shreyas Iyer.advertisementLong seen as a stabilizer in T20 cricket, Iyer reinvented himself in IPL 2025 with 604 runs at a strike rate of 175 - his best ever season. His experience and ability to dominate spin could be crucial in UAE conditions, where scoring tends to slow.That, however, puts Riyan Parag in danger. The Royals all-rounder has been part of Gambhir's T20I plans, but with Iyer's return, he may lose out. While Parag's bowling utility is valuable, selectors may take the tough call to leave him out.THE WICKETKEEPER CONUNDRUMSanju Samson is the frontrunner for the wicketkeeper-batter role. The question is about his understudy.Dhruv Jurel was backup in the England series, but Jitesh Sharma now seems ahead in the pecking order. The RCB keeper had a standout IPL 2025, excelling as a finisher for the champions.With Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan still injured, selectors may opt for Jitesh, who brings proven finishing ability. His T20I record - 100 runs in 9 games - is modest, but his IPL strike rate of 170 this season has likely put him back in the frame.RINKU SINGH DROPS DOWN THE LADDER?Rinku Singh has been India's designated T20I finisher alongside Hardik, but consistency has eluded him. Across 18 T20Is since the 2024 World Cup, he has just 190 runs at an average of 21 and a strike rate under 140.advertisementHis IPL 2025 campaign was equally underwhelming - 206 runs in 13 matches, averaging below 30. The KKR star may now find himself slipping behind in the pecking order.THE ALL-ROUNDERSHardik Pandya and Axar Patel are automatic picks. Washington Sundar remains in the frame for his versatility, while Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is likely to miss out of the Asia Cup due to injury, could feature in the long-term plans once fit again.Another all-rounder who might not make the cut is Shivam Dube. A key member of India's T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024, the Chennai Super Kings all-rounder hasn't managed to fire in the recent past. In six T20Is since that World Cup final, Dube has hit 122 runs in six matches. Even in IPL 2025, Dube's strike rate dropped to 132 from 162 in the previous season.BOWLING GROUP: WILL BUMRAH PLAY?Another burning question: Jasprit Bumrah's availability. Criticised for "picking and choosing" assignments after missing two England Tests, Bumrah has reportedly told selectors he is available for the Asia Cup.advertisementBut should he play? UAE pitches won't suit pacers, and India's management has been mindful of his workload with a crucial home Test season coming up. With four Tests scheduled in October-November - India's first assignment without R. Ashwin - resting Bumrah might be wiser.India have coped without him before, like in the Champions Trophy. Arshdeep Singh has led admirably, while Harshit Rana has grown into the role. Mohammed Siraj may be rested after his heavy Test workload in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.It might be the right time to bring back Prasidh Krishna, who last played T20Is in 2023. The Karnataka pacer was the Purple Cap winner in IPL 2025 with 25 wickets and had an impressive outing in the England Test series. Free of injuries that have been nagging him for a while, Prasidh might be the trump card for India in T20I cricket as they build a team for next year's World Cup.In terms of specialist spin-bowling options, Varun Charkravarthy is a definite starter. India also have the ever-reliable Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, who has played 18 matches since the last T20 World Cup.Bishnoi might be in the mix for the World Cup, but he is likely to miss out on the Asia Cup squad.It is going to be one of Bishnoi and Kuldeep for the second specialist spinner's role as India might not risk shortening their batting. Washington might even get the nod ahead of both these two, considering how effective he has been in terms of bowling in the powerplay as well as in the middle-overs for India.PROBABLE SQUAD FOR ASIA CUP T20Likely squad size: 16–17 players, with eyes on zeroing in on a core group.First-choice XIAbhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.Bench (5 players)Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jitesh Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana.Players likely to miss outRinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Ravi Bishnoi, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shivam Dube.- EndsYou May Also Like