Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar picked India's playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to start from September 9. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav have announced India's 15-member squad for the mega event in a press conference, where Test captain Shubman Gill was rewarded the vice-captaincy following his brilliant outing in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England.
India's wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson has also been included in the squad following his dominating performances as an opener in T20Is.
However, former India captain Gavaskar picked Sanju Samson in his playing XI for the Asia Cup and said that his place in the batting order will be decided according to the situation. Gavaskar reckons that Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma should open for India in the mega event to maintain the left and right combination.
"Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma to open because of left-hand right-hand combination. Sanju Samson will also be in the mix but his place in the batting order will be decided according to the situation," Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
Defending Champions India will start their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on September 10 against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. The Men in Blue will face Pakistan in their second League match which will take place on September 14 at the same venue.
This will be the first time since 2007 that no one from neither Rohit Sharma nor Virat Kohli will be featuring for India in the multinational tournament.
Sunil Gavaskar's playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Team India 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