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India, fresh off two consecutive ICC trophy wins and a successful Test series in England, are gearing up for the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament, which will be played in the T20 format, is set to be a major test for India’s young brigade, as they’ll be competing without the recently retired legends, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.
Asia Cup 2025 tournament details
The Asia Cup 2025 will run from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, a change from the original host country of India. As per ACC, this decision was made to ensure the smooth running of the event. The tournament format has shifted from ODIs to T20s and will feature eight teams, up from six in the last edition. The teams are divided into two groups:
- Group A: India, Pakistan, Oman, and UAE
- Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong
This expanded format provides a crucial platform for emerging cricketing nations like Hong Kong, Oman, and UAE, who qualified through the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. India, the defending champions, will begin their campaign against UAE on September 10. A highlight of the group stage is the potential for up to three encounters between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Fours, where they will compete in a round-robin format. The top two teams from the Super Fours will then face off in the final on September 28.
India’s predicted 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025
The upcoming Asia Cup marks a significant transition for India, as it will be their first major event since the retirement of several key players. However, the team’s preparations are clouded by the potential absence of some of their key players. The participation of the current Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav is in doubt, as he is recovering from a hernia surgery earlier this year and has yet to be cleared as match-fit by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
There are also reports that ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will miss the tournament due to injury. The final status of these players will only be confirmed once India announces its official squad. With the retirement of stalwarts and the potential absence of key players, the pressure will be on India’s young, new-look team to perform on a big stage and defend their title.
1. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek recently achieved a career-high by reaching the number one spot in the ICC T20I Batting Rankings. This significant jump came after a series of impactful performances for India in T20I cricket. In domestic leagues, he has been a consistent force, with his aggressive opening style earning him accolades. His recent T20I form, including a top score of 135, highlights his development into a dominant international batter.
2. Sanju Samson
Samson’s recent form has been a mix of strong performances and injury concerns. He was recently omitted from the Duleep Trophy squad due to a lack of consistent red-ball domestic appearances. His exclusion was a point of discussion, but selectors emphasized focusing on players with strong Ranji Trophy records. Internationally, he has shown flashes of brilliance but hasn’t secured a permanent spot in the playing XI.
3. Tilak Varma
Tilak has emerged as one of India’s most promising young talents, especially in the T20I format. His international career has seen him deliver some crucial performances, including a century against South Africa in a T20I. He is set to captain the South Zone team in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, signaling his growing leadership role in domestic cricket. His consistent scores and ability to perform under pressure have made him a key part of India’s youth brigade.
4. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar, widely regarded as one of the best T20I batters in the world, has faced a mixed run of form in other formats. While his T20I batting has remained explosive, he has been looking to solidify his place in the Test and ODI squads. He was appointed as the T20I captain for India, after the retirement of Rohit Sharma, a role in which he has received praise for his strategic mind. His most recent performances have been in the T20 format, where he continues to be a game-changer with his aggressive strokeplay.
5. Hardik Pandya
Hardik has been a central figure for India as a genuine all-rounder, performing with both bat and ball. His recent international outings have been particularly impactful, including a great all-round performance for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. In T20 cricket, he has continued to be a crucial player, contributing with explosive hitting and key wickets. His leadership and all-round skills have made him a vital asset in India’s limited-overs teams.
6. Rinku Singh
Rinku has cemented his reputation as one of the best finishers in white-ball cricket for India and in the domestic circuit. His consistent ability to score quick runs under pressure in the final overs has made him a fan favorite. In the recent domestic season, he maintained his powerful striking, which led to his selection for the Indian national side. He continues to be a reliable and explosive lower-order batter, capable of changing the course of a match in a few deliveries.
7. Shreyas Iyer
Iyer has been in phenomenal form, playing a crucial part in India’s recent successes. He was a key figure in India’s victorious Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, finishing as the team’s top run-scorer with 243 runs. Domestically, he has been a sensation, first leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title in 2024 and then, after being bought for a record price, captaining the Punjab Kings to their first-ever IPL final in 2025. This incredible run of form and leadership has also led to him being reinstated with a central BCCI contract, recognizing his importance to the team.
8. Shivam Dube
Dube’s recent performances have showcased his all-round abilities, especially with the bat in T20s. He has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit, with his left-handed power-hitting being a key asset. While his international career has been sporadic, his domestic form, including a few fifty-plus scores, keeps him in the reckoning for the national team. His right-arm medium pace also provides a useful bowling option, adding to his value as a flexible player.
9. Axar Patel
Axar has been a reliable all-rounder for India, contributing significantly with both his left-arm spin and lower-order batting. His T20I and ODI performances have also been solid, where he has consistently maintained a low economy rate. Axar’s ability to perform under pressure makes him a key member of the Indian team across all formats.
10. Varun Chakravarthy
Chakravarthy has been a consistent performer in the domestic T20 league, primarily as a mystery spinner for his team. His recent form has been impressive, with his ability to take wickets and contain the run-rate being a standout feature. While he has had limited opportunities in international cricket, his strong domestic performances especially for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), keep him in consideration for a national call-up. He continues to be one of the most difficult bowlers to face on his day.
11. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep was part of the Indian squad for the five-match Test series against England but was benched for the entire tour. Despite his impressive red-ball record and calls from former cricketers like Sourav Ganguly to include him, the team management opted for a pace-heavy attack and all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
12. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep has established himself as a key bowler for India in the limited-overs formats, known for his ability to bowl yorkers and manage the death overs. He was instrumental in India’s ODI series win in South Africa, where he was named the Player of the Series for taking 10 wickets. In the domestic T20 league, he became his team’s all-time leading wicket-taker, highlighting his consistent success. Arshdeep’s career-best figures and his ability to perform in crucial moments make him a vital asset to the Indian bowling attack.
13. Harshit Rana
Harshit is a promising fast bowler who recently made his ODI debut for India. While his debut was a mix of highs and lows, he conceded 26 runs in one over but also took two wickets soon after, it showcased his potential. He has been a consistent wicket-taker in domestic cricket, with his impressive pace and control. His Test debut was also a notable one, as he played a part in India’s series draw against England. He is a young talent to watch out for in the fast-bowling department.
14. Mukesh Kumar
Mukesh has been a reliable performer for India in the international arena. He has shown his ability to swing the ball and maintain good lines, which has earned him praise. In the domestic T20 league, he has been a consistent wicket-taker, with a recent career-best bowling figure of 4/22. His solid performances across formats, especially in domestic leagues, have kept him a regular member of the Indian squad.
15. Ishan Kishan
Kishan, a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has been a key player for India in limited-overs cricket. He has made significant contributions in both ODIs and T20Is, including a double-century in ODIs. His recent form has been solid, with impactful fifties in T20 cricket for his IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians.
Also READ: Asia Cup 2025: Official venues revealed for India vs Pakistan clash and other encounters
