The Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has been announced. As usual, it came with its fair share of surprises. The biggest talking point is that Shubman Gill has been named as India’s new vice-captain, replacing all-rounder Axar Patel. Another major surprise was when the selectors ignored Shreyas Iyer from the squad for the upcoming tournament.
Two in-form players Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal did not find a place in the 15-man squad. The announcement has also raised eyebrows for other reasons. Both were expected to feature, given their recent form in international cricket and the IPL. Instead, the selectors opted for a combination that they believe is best suited for conditions in the UAE.
Selectors ignore Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal for Asia Cup 2025
Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion is the biggest shock. He last played a T20I in December 2023, where he scored a fluent half-century in India’s victory over Australia. Many believed that innings would seal his spot in the shortest format for years to come. But surprisingly, Shreyas Iyer was left out of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad as well, despite leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title.
The selectors’ decision is even harder to understand when you consider his IPL 2025 performance. Playing for Punjab Kings as captain, Iyer had his best-ever season. He finished as the sixth-highest run-getter with 604 runs in 17 innings at a stunning average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07. He scored six half-centuries and almost single-handedly guided PBKS to the IPL final, their first since 2014.
Unfortunately, they fell just six runs short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Yashasvi Jaiswal, on the other hand, has been one of India’s brightest young stars. Known for his aggressive batting at the top of the order, his omission also came as a surprise.Â
Ajit Agarkar makes a big statement on Shreyas Iyer
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was quick to address the elephant in the room. In the squad announcement press conference, he was asked about Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion. His response left everyone thinking.
“With regards to Shreyas, I mean, you need to tell him who he can replace. No fault of his, nor is it ours. It’s just that we have to pick 15 at the moment; he’ll have to wait for his chance,” Agarkar said in the press conference.
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Ravichandran Ashwin calls out Ajit Agarkar for being unfair on Shreyas Iyer
“Shreyas Iyer has solid credentials. He was out of the team, but he made you win the Champions Trophy. If you argue that Shubman Gill is in blasting form, then Shreyas is also in some fine form. Who will answer all these questions? What Shreyas has done wrong,” asked Ashwin on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
“He did brilliantly well for KKR, made them win. He was sent into the auction. He then took Punjab to the finals for the first time since 2014. He overcame the short ball problem. He was hitting the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah with ease in the IPL. I am just extremely sad for him and Yashasvi Jaiswal; it is extremely unfair,” added Ravi Ashwin.
India have long ruled the Asia Cup stage. The Men in Blue are not only the defending champions but also the most successful side in the tournament’s history, with eight titles to their name, the latest coming in 2023. With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm and Shubman Gill returning as his deputy, India will once again enter the Asia Cup as firm favourites.
India’s Squad For Asia Cup 2025
Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
