In a decision that has raised more than a few eyebrows, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen not to send five standby players with Team India’s main squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.
Ajit Agarkar, India’s chief selector, recently unveiled the 15-member squad led by the explosive Suryakumar Yadav, with Shubman Gill stepping in as his deputy. While the announcement itself carried the usual buzz, it was the absence of standby players in the travelling party that truly sparked curiosity.
The five cricketers named as reserves Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will remain in India instead of accompanying the squad to Dubai. This marks a clear shift in approach from the T20 World Cup 2024, where several backup options travelled with the team across the US and Caribbean.
When quizzed about the decision, a senior BCCI official kept it straightforward:
“No, the standby players will not be travelling with the main squad to Dubai,” he confirmed to PTI.
So why this sudden change in strategy?
Unlike the World Cup’s logistically demanding tours of the US and West Indies, the Asia Cup will be staged in the UAE a much shorter and simpler journey. The board believes this allows them to keep the core unit compact, while still having the flexibility to fly in replacements at short notice should injuries strike.
For now, the reserves will wait in the wings, prepared to step in if called upon. Until then, the spotlight shines firmly on the chosen 15 as India set out to defend their crown, having last lifted the Asia Cup trophy in 2023 with a memorable win over Sri Lanka a final etched into memory by Mohammed Siraj’s devastating spell.
This time, however, the challenge is different. The Asia Cup 2025 returns in the T20 format, and Team India begins their campaign on September 10 against hosts UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The decision to sideline standby players from travelling may well prove a masterstroke in keeping the team environment lean and focused or it could become a talking point if injuries come knocking. Either way, as the Men in Blue gear up for another continental battle, every move by the BCCI will be under the scanner.
