T20 World Cup 2024 winning star out as Irfan Pathan picks India's strongest playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

Former India cricketer Irfran Pathan ignored Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube in his strongest playing XI for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to start from September 9 in the UAE. Suryakumar Yadav-led India have already reached Dubai and started preparing for the mega event. 

Pathan picked Punjab batting duo Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill as India's openers, followed by in-form batter Tilak Varma at No. 3. He picked Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel as India's middle order batters for the mega event in his YouTube channel. 

He picked up Sanju Samson as a wicketkeeper batter and demoted his batting position to number five. However, the selectors picked Jitesh Sharma as their first-choice wicketkeeper, and the Vidarbha cricketer is also used to bat in the middle order. However, Samson has also batted in the middle order in the Kerala Cricket League, where he was in great touch. 

ALSO READ: After getting snubbed for Asia Cup 2025 squad, Shreyas Iyer likely to lead India in home series against Australia
 

ALSO READ: WATCH: Rohit Sharma's gesture to stop fans from chanting 'Mumbai Cha Raja Rohit Sharma' during Ganpati celebrations in Mumbai goes viral
 

Irfan Pathan picked star spinner Kuldeep Yadav in his playing XI. On the other hand, the pace battery will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. 

Defending champions India will start their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on September 10 against the UAE at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. India will face Pakistan in their second group stage clash on September 14 at the same venue. The Men in Blue will face Oman on their last group stage clash which will take place at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. 

Irfan Pathan's strongest India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy. 

India’s squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel