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New Delhi: The Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025 was announced in Mumbai following a selection committee meeting at the BCCI headquarters. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav, addressed the media to unveil the squad, which saw some big names missing from the list, with Shreyas Iyer being the big one, considering his T20 record over the past two seasons.
The selectors had to select from a talented pool with multiple players ready to step in for every position. Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Ravi Bishnoi missed the cut in the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup in the UAE from September 9-18, while India opens its campaign on September 10.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer's omission came as a surprise given his T20 record over the past two seasons. In the recently concluded IPL, he piled up 600 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 for Punjab Kings. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar defended the decision, saying, "Shreyas Iyer-no fault of his. He has just had to wait for his chance."
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal was the leading scorer for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025. He scored 559 in 14 matches at a strike rate of 159.71 with six fifties to his name. He even impressed with his performance in the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy.
Iyer deserved a spot in the squad but like Agarkar said, "Yashasvi missed out. It is hard on him, but it was between him and Abhishek Sharma, who has done well for India in the T20Is."
Washington Sundar
The all-rounder who was considered a crucial option with his off-spin also missed a spot. He even impressed in the Test series against England as he registered his maiden Test hundred and a half-century.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul was not the choice of the selectors this time despite the talent he has. Though many consider his T20 batting as conservative as per modern-day cricket but on various occasions, he has shown exemplary signs of change in the latest concluded IPL season for Delhi Capitals.
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy
(Standby players – Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal)
Shubman Gill has delivered a outstanding performance as the Test captain in England, which earned him a recall to the T20 series. His most recent T20 match was against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2024, and he has now replaced Axar Patel as vice-captain.
On Gill's inclusion, Agarkar said, "He has exceeded all our expectations." India now has two very capable options to provide a strong start alongside Abhishek Sharma.
