India Asia Cup squad announcement Live: Gill dilemma - Selectors face tough call

India Asia Cup 2025 Squad Announcement Live Update: As India’s selectors sit down on Tuesday to finalise the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup in the UAE, their biggest challenge could be fitting Shubman Gill into an already stable T20 set-up.

Gill, who has enjoyed a stellar run as Test captain in England, has struggled to slot seamlessly into the current T20 combination. For chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his panel, the question is whether it makes sense to disturb a side that has been functioning smoothly.

The talent pool available only complicates matters. Indian cricket currently has an abundance of options, with multiple players ready to step in for every position. At the top of the batting order alone, six names are in contention.

While Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma impressed last season, Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and IPL’s Orange Cap winner Sai Sudharsan are equally compelling picks.

In spin, the competition is just as tight. Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Ravi Bishnoi are all pressing for selection, while veteran Yuzvendra Chahal remains on the fringes.

Inside the team management, there are two schools of thought. Some feel it would be unjust to drop consistent performers in order to bring back a bigger star. Others argue that Gill represents the future of Indian cricket—an all-format captain in the making and a strong commercial face for the game.

But his return won’t be straightforward. Under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, India has won 17 of its last 20 T20Is, a remarkable record achieved without Gill or Jaiswal. Yet, before focusing on Tests, both had been doing well in T20Is and the IPL.

Gill also briefly served as Surya’s deputy before his Test duties took over, with Axar Patel stepping in as vice-captain. Reinstating Gill could leave Axar feeling sidelined, despite his reliable performances.

If Gill is named in the 15, selectors may need to reshuffle the playing XI, forcing one of Abhishek, Sanju, or Tilak out. Rinku Singh could also miss out, particularly since head coach Gautam Gambhir doesn’t believe in a fixed “finisher’s” role, reducing the left-hander’s importance.

Fast Bowling Choices
Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh are certainties, leaving one reserve seamer’s slot up for grabs. Harshit Rana appears to be the front-runner, with Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj largely seen as red-ball bowlers. With a home series against the West Indies in October, Bumrah may even be rested, giving others a chance.

Spin Department
Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy are the leading names, with Washington Sundar likely to make the cut as well, thanks to his all-round abilities. Although conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi may not be overly slow, spinners are still expected to have a say.

All-rounders and Keepers
With Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rishabh Pant unavailable due to injuries, Shivam Dube is set to back up Hardik as a seam-bowling all-rounder. For the second wicketkeeper’s role, the contest is between Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma. Jitesh, who played a key role as a lower-order hitter in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL triumph, has the edge for the finisher’s slot.