The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup. The team, set to compete in the UAE from September 9-28, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with a notable change in leadership as Shubman Gill has been appointed as his vice-captain. The announcement was made during a press conference in Mumbai with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Yadav addressing the media.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1957738817525272849
Here are the key takeaways from the press conference:
1. Gill’s Elevation to T20I Vice-Captaincy: Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I squad as vice-captain was a major talking point. Agarkar clarified that this was a deliberate decision, as Gill had previously held the role in July 2024 against Sri Lanka. T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the management is keen on maintaining continuity and sees Gill as a future leader. Agarkar also praised Gill’s impressive form during the recent Test series against England, stating he “exceeded all our expectations.”
2. Omission of Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal: Despite strong performances in the IPL 2025 season, both Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal were left out of the main squad. Agarkar explained that their exclusion was not due to a lack of form but rather the team’s balance and an abundance of talent. He pointed to Abhishek Sharma’s recent form and his ability to provide a part-time bowling option as a factor that gave him an edge. Both Iyer and Jaiswal, along with Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag have been named as standbys.
3. Jasprit Bumrah’s Return and Workload Management: Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been managing his workload since the T20 World Cup 2024 final and was rested from the limited-overs series against England, has made a comeback to the T20I squad. Agarkar confirmed that Bumrah’s workload will continue to be monitored closely. He stressed that Bumrah is a “valuable” and “special” asset and that the team will take extra care to ensure he remains fit for all major tournaments, including the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026.
4. Sanju Samson’s Role: Agarkar was direct about the reason for Sanju Samson’s selection, stating that he was included as an opener because Gill and Jaiswal were unavailable due to their Test commitments at the time. This suggests that Samson’s place in the playing XI is not guaranteed, and the team management will decide on the final opening combination between him, Gill, and Abhishek Sharma.
5. Squad Composition and Future Outlook: The selectors have focused on blending experience with young talent. The squad includes youngsters like Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh, who have proven their mettle in recent matches. The selectors’ choices indicate a clear vision for the team, with an eye on the T20 World Cup to be held in India next year.