India Asia Cup 2025 Squad Announcement Highlights: Gill returns as T20 vice-captain; Shafali excluded for World Cup

Australia: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Sneh Rana

World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Sneh Rana

Now that the Asia Cup squad has been unveiled, it’s time for us to have a look at what India’s ideal playing XI should look like:

Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

The fact that Sanju Samson’s name was mentioned at the very end of the 15-member squad hints at the possibility of the Rajasthan Royals captain having to warm the bench and ferry drinks at the Asia Cup despite his explosive form in the format in late 2024.

With the top-order becoming even more crowded after Gill’s return, Jitesh’s inclusion as keeper makes more sense since he’s a middle-order batter who’s also an able finisher.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar attend the meeting along with the women’s selection committee led by Neetu David at the BCCI headquarters.

The Women’s Selection Committee is here at BCCI HQ, Mumbai, to pick #TeamIndia’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.#WomenInBlue pic.twitter.com/02GtZhTDYs

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 19, 2025

Ganesh feels one of Siraj or Prasidh would have been a better pick in the pace department than Harshit Rana. While Siraj was India’s standout performer in the recent Test tour of England, Prasidh had won the Purple Cap in the IPL earlier this year.

Pretty balanced side but Jaiswal’s omission is shocking. Also Siraj/Prasidh would have been a better bet than Harshit Rana. https://t.co/0QoDEs6761

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) August 19, 2025

“It’s unfortunate. With what Abhishek has done over the last year or so, plus he give us a bowling option is required. One of these guys was always going to miss out,” Agarkar says on Jaiswal’s exclusion.

“Again no fault of his. Got to tell me who he can replace? At the moment, will have to wait for his chance,” the former all-rounder adds, on Iyer’s exclusion.

“Suryakumar Yadav best suited at No 3, why do you want him to bat at No 4?” says the former India opener.

It’s worth noting, however, that SKY has batted at No 3 as well as No 4 in recent fixtures, happily accommodating Tilak Varma at one-down from time to time.

This is how bad it is today in Mumbai. The rain continues to pour heavily as the sea level rises.

Scene outside Gateway Of India and Hotel Taj Mahal Palace#MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/4IPBtqHQaU

— Mumbai Heritage (@mumbaiheritage) August 19, 2025

India’s last T20I squad: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Ramandeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh

We can expect some changes. Shami and Jurel are set to sit out. Bumrah and Jitesh Sharma can replace them. Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh could also be dropped as selectors look to bring back Shubman Gill or Shreyas Iyer. Kuldeep Yadav is also set to come back.

All in all, it’s going to be a tough selection meeting.

Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav arrives at the BCCI headquarters for the Asia Cup team selection meeting.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Indian men's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav arrives at the BCCI headquarters for the Asia Cup team selection meeting pic.twitter.com/zMIQ6w0Nd2

— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2025