As the Indian squad for Asia Cup 2025 was announced, it sparked a wave of debates and controversies. The biggest talking point revolved around the selection of certain players, raising eyebrows among fans and cricket experts alike.
Yet, amid all the noise, there’s a silver lining India now boasts a substantial backup pool, ready to step in when needed. The announcement of Team India’s squad for the upcoming T20 Asia Cup, starting September 9, didn’t go unnoticed.
Critics and former cricketers questioned the logic behind some selections and the omission of in-form players. The debate intensified around why players like Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ravi Bishnoi didn’t find a place in the squad.
Particularly, Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion has drawn widespread attention. Former cricketers like Krishnamachari Srikanth and Aakash Chopra expressed their surprise over Harshal Rane’s inclusion, with social media fans even pointing out alleged connections between Harshal Rane, Gautam Gambhir, and Kolkata Knight Riders, fueling conjecture and speculation.
Nonetheless, the bigger picture reveals a strategic approach. Despite these players being absent from the current squad, they are part of a formidable backup pool, prepared to step up when required.
This squad depth offers India a safety net, ensuring that even if key players falter or are injured, the team can seamlessly adapt.
Veteran players like KL Rahul also feature prominently in this mix. Rahul, currently in excellent form across formats, remains a vital asset. His experience and maturity make him a dependable option, especially when the team needs stability.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s injury situation remains a concern had he been fit, he would undoubtedly have been a part of this squad.
Here’s the complete squad for Asia Cup 2025
India’s 15-member squad:
Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshal Rane, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
Standby Players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The selection has undoubtedly sparked conversations, but it also underscores India’s strategic depth a crucial factor in modern cricket’s unpredictable landscape.
As the Asia Cup kicks off, cricket fans and experts will be keenly watching how this squad performs and whether the backup players will finally get their chance to shine on the international stage.
