Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Kuldeep Yadav will play a crucial role for the Men in Blue in Asia Cup 2025 alongside fellow spinners Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy. Kuldeep, who hasn't made an appearance for the side in the shortest format since the 2024 T20 World Cup final, was included in their 15-member squad for the continental tournament.
With the conditions in UAE likely to favour the spinners, India can very well keep three turners in their playing XI for Asia Cup. This can see Kuldeep featuring in majority of the matches for the Men in Blue. Shastri remarked that the 30-year-old is currently at his peak and thus, deserves to play in the upcoming tournament.
"I think Kuldeep is at his peak now. He did extremely well in IPL and unfortunately, couldn't make it to the team in Tests in England because of the conditions and the strength that India have. But he will be a vital cog in the wheel in the Asia Cup and going foward along with Varun and Axar Patel," Shastri told The Times of India.
Notably, Kuldeeep's last international appearance was in the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand held earlier this year in March. Though he was picked in the squad for the five-match Test series against England, he was never given a chance in any of the games and sat on the sidelines throughout the tour. It remains to be seen if the left-arm spinner will make his T20I comeback in the Asia Cup or not.
Shastri on India's openers for Asia Cup
Meanwhile, Shastri also shared his opinion on India's opening pair for the continental tournament and remarked that he isn't in the favour of any last-minute changes. He wants Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to open the batting for the side with Shubman Gill replacing someone other than Samson in the playing XI.
"He [Samson] is most dangerous in the top three. That's where he wins you matches. He should be left there. It [replacing Samson for Gill] won't be that easy. Samson has a strong record for India at the top in T20s. Even Gill will find it tough to displace him. Gill may come in for someone else, but Samson should be left alone as opener. Samson should continue playing the way he has for India in T20s. He has been consistent at the top with big runs and hundreds," Shastri said during a media interaction.
On the other hand, India will be kicking-off their campaign in the competition with the clash against UAE on September 10 before locking horns against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. Their group stage will come to a conclusion with the match against Oman on September 19.