Asia Cup 2025: Full Squad List Revealed – Big Names In, Shocking Omissions Out

August 19, 2025, Mumbai India’s 15-man squad for the 2025 Asia Cup, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, was revealed today by the BCCI. Captaincy and team composition have sparked widespread discussion, with Suryakumar Yadav officially named captain and Shubman Gill appointed vice-captain—an announcement that brings both confidence and controversy.

Suryakumar Yadav Confirmed Captain

Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as “SKY,” has been officially declared fit to captain the Indian T20 side after undergoing sports hernia surgery earlier this year. He passed a rigorous fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, giving him a significant advantage before the competition.

Shubman Gill Appointed Vice-Captain

Shubman Gill, India’s Test captain and a key figure in the recent England Test series, makes a return to T20 leadership. Appointed vice-captain, Gill’s return to T20 international cricket—absent since July 2024—is seen as a strategic move to bridge experience across formats.

The Selection Press Conference

Earlier today, a presser at BCCI headquarters saw surgeon-turned chief selector Ajit Agarkar alongside Captain Suryakumar Yadav announce the finalized squad in Mumbai.

Full India Squad for Asia Cup 2025

Player Role:

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain; Middle-order Batter)
Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain; Opener Batter)
Abhishek Sharma (All-rounder)
Tilak Varma (Batter)
Hardik Pandya (All-rounder)
Shivam Dube (All-rounder)
Axar Patel (All-rounder)
Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper Batter)
Jasprit Bumrah (Pace Bowler)
Arshdeep Singh (Pace Bowler)
Varun Chakravarthy (Spinner)
Kuldeep Yadav (Spin Bowler)
Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper Batter)
Harshit Rana (Pace Bowler)
Rinku Singh (Batter)

Standby Players (on the lookout): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar

Analysis: Who’s In and Who’s Out

Big Names Included

Jasprit Bumrah makes a return despite workload concerns from the England tour—reflecting the selectors’ faith in his skills for crucial T20 death overs.

Two Keepers: Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma offer batting depth and keep the backup ready.

All-round Strength: Players like Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube provide valuable flexibility in both departments.

Shocking Omissions

Shreyas Iyer: A surprising absence given his form and reliability; this exclusion has drawn criticism and emotional reactions from fans and commentators alike.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: Left out despite his potential—selection of three openers (Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Samson) meant Jaiswal missed the cut.

Controversy and Allegations

Fans and ex-players like Abhishek Nayar have raised concerns about perceived favoritism, pointing to the inclusion of Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh—both associated with coach Gautam Gambhir’s IPL ties.

The rationale from selector Ajit Agarkar, however, emphasizes limited slots and strategic balance: “not his fault” referred to Iyer’s omission.

Tournament Outlook

India, as defending champions, face a promising yet high-stakes Asia Cup campaign. They begin with a group-stage match against UAE in Dubai, followed by a high-voltage face-off with arch-rivals Pakistan.

This tournament serves as a vital prelude to the 2026 T20 World Cup, offering a stage to test leadership dynamics, assess bench strength, and fine-tune combinations in conditions similar to upcoming global events.