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Shubman Gill named vice-captain for Asia Cup 2025 as Jasprit Bumrah makes comeback; Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal miss out on India’s squad.
Shubman Gill Named Vice-Captain for Asia Cup 2025; Bumrah Back, Iyer and Jaiswal Omitted
India Finalizes Asia Cup 2025 Squad: A Strategic Shake-Up
On August 19, 2025, the BCCI unveiled India’s 15-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE, scheduled from September 9 to 28. T20 stalwart Suryakumar Yadav was reaffirmed as captain, and in a significant leadership move, Shubman Gill, the current Test captain, was appointed vice-captain, replacing Axar Patel. This marks his return to the T20 fold after nearly a year.
Returning Power of Gill and Bumrah
Gill’s elevation to the deputy role stems from a sensational run in Test cricket—he smashed 754 runs in five Tests in England, including multiple centuries, underlining his form and temperament. On the IPL front, Gill piled up 650 runs at a 155.9 strike rate in 2025, further enhancing his credentials across formats.
Another welcome return is pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. After being managed during India’s England Test tour due to workload concerns, he has regained fitness and secured a spot in the T20 squad.
Notable Omissions: Iyer, Jaiswal, and Others
Surprisingly, Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal did not make the cut. Analysts and fans expressed bewilderment; both had delivered compelling performances in IPL 2025—Iyer scored 600+ runs, spearheading Punjab Kings to the final, while Jaiswal was Rajasthan Royals’ top scorer.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that with Abhishek Sharma’s dual ability as both a batsman and occasional bowler, space was limited, making Iyer’s omission unfortunate but inevitable. Similarly, the choice came down to him vs. Abhishek for an opening slot.
Other prominent names such as Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj were also overlooked, with some listed only as standby players (including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag).
Squad Composition and Strategy
The finalized squad showcases a balanced mix of aggression, experience, and versatility:
- Openers: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Shubman Gill (vc) will vie for early dominance.
- Middle Order: Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel.
- All-Round Depth: Kuldeep Yadav (left-arm wrist spin) and all-rounder Hardik bring flexibility.
- Pace Attack: Jasprit Bumrah anchors the pace alongside Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy.
- Wicketkeeping Options: Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma provide options behind the stumps.
- Emerging Talent: Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh back up with youthful potential.
Reaction and Controversy
The omissions triggered fan backlash and media scrutiny. Abhishek Nayar, on Star Sports, hinted at favoritism in selection—especially given the inclusion of players like Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh, who are associated with KKR, Gautam Gambhir’s former IPL team.Fans resonated with those concerns, amplifying the debate on transparency and fairness.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for India’s Campaign
India’s squad appears deliberately crafted to maintain strategic depth across all departments. The return of seasoned players like Gill and Bumrah injects leadership and experience, whereas the presence of dynamic all-rounders and spinners ensures adaptability across diverse matchups.
As the defending champions, India will commence their Asia Cup journey with a Group A schedule that includes matches against UAE, Pakistan, and Oman in the UAE—Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the designated venues.
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