The BCCI’s announcement of India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday threw up some unexpected surprises, sparking debate among fans and experts alike. While captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill were confirmed, three major decisions stood out.
1. No Shreyas Iyer
One of the biggest shocks was the omission of Shreyas Iyer, who was widely expected to feature in the middle order. Despite being considered a backbone in India’s ODI setup, Iyer has been left out, with selectors instead opting for youngsters like Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma.
2. No Yashasvi Jaiswal
In-form opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had impressed in both domestic cricket and international T20s, also failed to make the cut. His exclusion leaves Abhishek Sharma as the new face alongside Shubman Gill at the top of the order.
3. Shivam Dube selected
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is Shivam Dube, who has found a place in the squad ahead of other contenders. The all-rounder’s finishing ability and part-time medium pace seem to have swayed selectors, making him a wildcard pick for the tournament.
The rest of the squad has a balanced look with Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and others providing experience, while Harshit Rana, Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma bring youthful energy.
The Asia Cup 2025 is set to serve as India’s final preparation before the ICC Champions Trophy, and the selection choices suggest the management is betting on a younger core while sidelining some big names.
