The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to commence on September 9 and will conclude on September 28. The tournament will feature two groups: Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
India is set to announce its squad for the Asia Cup on August 19. Let’s take a look at the players who are likely to feature in the tournament.
Will India include Shubman Gill and Siraj in the squad?
Based on Shubman Gill’s recent performances, it appears he is ahead of many players in the race. Gill was the highest run-scorer for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 and also led India as the new Test skipper in the series against England, where he finished as the top run scorer.
However, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are confirmed as openers, and the third opener who truly deserves a spot is Yashasvi Jaiswal. The final decision regarding Shubman Gill’s inclusion rests in the hands of Gautam Gambhir.
Siraj, with his brilliant bowling performance, played a key role in helping India draw the Test series against England. Similarly, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are confirmed as the two frontline pacers, while either Siraj or Prasidh Krishna could feature as the third pacer.
The final verdict on the inclusion of both Shubman Gill and Siraj rests in the hands of Gautam Gambhir.
India’s likely 11 to feature in Asia Cup:
Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson (wk)
Tilak Varma
Surya Yadav(c)
Axar Patel
Hardik Pandya
Shivam Dubey
Kuldeep Yadav
Arshdeep Singh
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohd Siraj
Bench: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jitesh Sharma(wk), Prashidh Krishna, Rinku Singh
Shreyas Iyer: The Overlooked Star Despite Consistency and Leadership
Shreyas Iyer’s journey in Indian cricket has been nothing short of eventful. Despite proving himself time and again, he often finds himself sidelined when it comes to national team selection. His performance in IPL 2025 is a prime example of why many fans feel he deserves better.
Leading Punjab Kings to the Final
This season, Iyer not only played a crucial role with the bat but also showcased remarkable leadership by guiding Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final. He was the team’s most consistent batter and handled captaincy with maturity and composure. For any player, such achievements should strengthen their case for a national call-up.
The Mumbai Indians Factor
One of the ongoing debates in Indian cricket is the perceived preference for players connected to Mumbai Indians. Over the years, several cricketers from Mumbai or those associated with the franchise have received strong backing during selection. Interestingly, although Iyer is originally from Mumbai, he has never represented Mumbai Indians in the IPL. This has led many fans to speculate whether his lack of association with the franchise has impacted his chances.
Injuries and Competition in the Middle Order
It is also true that Iyer has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including recurring back and hamstring issues. These breaks have sometimes prevented him from cementing his spot in the national team. Furthermore, India’s middle order is stacked with fierce competition—featuring the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and young talents like Tilak Varma.
Perception vs. Reality
The truth behind selection dynamics is never fully known to the public. It involves a complex mix of performance, fitness, team balance, and sometimes politics. However, from a fan’s perspective, it seems unfair when a player who has delivered consistently and proven leadership qualities continues to be overlooked.
Final Word
If Shreyas Iyer is once again ignored in the upcoming selections, it would be a grave injustice. His IPL 2025 campaign has shown that he still has the form, skill, and leadership to contribute significantly to Team India. At a time when Indian cricket is searching for stability in the middle order, sidelining a player like Iyer raises more questions than answers.
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