Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin in the UAE from September 9, and India has officially announced its 15-member squad. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the side, while Shubman Gill returns to the T20I setup as vice-captain. The biggest boost for India is Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback, adding strength to the bowling unit.
Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the UAE from September 9, and India has named a strong 15-member squad for the tournament. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, announced the squad in Mumbai on August 19, 2025.
The leadership role has been handed to Suryakumar Yadav, who continues as India’s T20I captain, while Shubman Gill has been named as vice-captain. This marks Gill’s return to the T20 setup after almost a year, as his last match in the format was against Sri Lanka in 2024 at Pallekele.
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Shubman Gill’s Comeback as Vice-Captain
Shubman Gill’s selection as vice-captain reflects his growing stature in Indian cricket. After a successful stint in Test cricket, where he led India in England, Gill now takes on added responsibility in the shortest format. His IPL 2025 performance was a major factor, where he scored 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87, guiding Gujarat Titans to the playoffs.
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar praised Gill during the press conference, saying:
“Gill’s form in England was something we expected, but he exceeded it all.”
Jasprit Bumrah’s Return Strengthens the Bowling
The inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah is another big headline ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Bumrah had been out due to injury concerns, but his return boosts India’s bowling attack. This will be his first T20 tournament since the T20 World Cup 2024, where he was named Player of the Series.
There were doubts about his fitness with the upcoming West Indies Test series in October, but selectors confirmed that Bumrah is fit and ready to spearhead the pace attack. He will join Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Hardik Pandya in the pace unit.
India’s Spin Options
In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel have been included. Kuldeep brings wrist-spin variety, while Varun provides mystery spin, and Axar adds balance with his all-round abilities. Abhishek Sharma also offers part-time spin if required.
Wicketkeeping Choices
India has gone with two wicketkeeper-batters: Sanju Samson as the first-choice keeper and Jitesh Sharma as backup. Samson’s experience in the format and Jitesh’s power-hitting ability provide balance to the middle order.
Standby Players
The selectors also announced five standby players for Asia Cup 2025:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Washington Sundar
- Prasidh Krishna
- Dhruv Jurel
- Riyan Parag
Ajit Agarkar commented on Jaiswal’s exclusion, saying:
“It’s unfortunate Jaiswal has had to miss out, but he will have to wait for his opportunity.”
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Full India Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Main Squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
Standby Players:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag.
India’s Group and First Match
India has been placed in Group A, alongside Pakistan, Oman, and UAE.
- India’s opening match is against UAE on September 10, 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium.
- The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash will be one of the highlights of the group stage.
Predicted Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025
- Shubman Gill (VC)
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Rinku Singh
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel / Shivam Dube
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav / Varun Chakravarthy
Conclusion
With a balanced squad, strong batting lineup, and the return of Jasprit Bumrah, India looks like a strong contender for Asia Cup 2025. The leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and the support of vice-captain Shubman Gill will be crucial as India aims to win its ninth Asia Cup title.