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India‘s preparations for the Asia Cup 2025 are officially underway as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad on Tuesday (August 19) in Mumbai. The continental event, scheduled to be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28, will follow the T20 format, with India heading into the tournament as the defending champions.
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, who was highly successful in the T20 World Cup last year, the squad has been crafted by head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors to provide a balanced mix of experience and fresh talent. With the tournament acting as a crucial build-up to next year’s World Cup, the performance of these players will be closely monitored.
India’s squad composition for the Asia Cup 2025 and key returns
India’s team for the Asia Cup features a strong core, with a massive boost coming from the availability of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. He is joined by the reliable Arshdeep Singh and the promising Harshit Rana, ensuring a varied and potent fast-bowling attack.
In the spin department, the team will rely on the skill of Kuldeep Yadav, India’s premier white-ball spinner, who is also making a return. He will be supported by the mystery spin of Varun Chakravarthy and the all-round value of Axar Patel, giving India multiple options to exploit the conditions in the middle overs. The batting unit is a mix of established stars and young dynamism, including Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh, providing a deep and versatile lineup.
IPL franchise representation in the Asia Cup 2025 squad
The team announcement reveals a clear pattern, with several IPL franchises acting as a pipeline for India’s T20I setup. The influence of these teams is evident in the number and quality of their representatives in the final 15-member squad.
- Mumbai Indians (MI) – 4 players: The most dominant franchise in the IPL also holds the top spot in national representation. The core of the Indian T20I side is built around MI’s pillars, with captain Suryakumar leading from the front. The inclusion of T20 powerhouses Hardik and Bumrah alongside the consistent Tilak highlights MI’s ability to produce players who are match-winners on the biggest stage.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – 3 players: As IPL 2024 champions, KKR has made a strong statement with the second-highest number of representatives. Their trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit and Rinku showcased the selectors’ faith in specialists. Chakravarthy’s mystery spin, Rana’s disciplined pace, and Rinku’s exceptional finishing skills demonstrate that KKR’s talent development is yielding players who fit specific, high-value roles in the national team.
- Delhi Capitals (DC) – 2 players: DC contributes two of India’s premier white-ball spinners in Axar and Kuldeep. Their presence ensures a strong spin department, with Kuldeep providing the attacking wrist-spin option and Axar offering control and a valuable lower-order batting resource.
- Other teams with solo representation: The remaining players are drawn from various franchises, showcasing the widespread reach of the IPL’s talent scout network. Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings), Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), and Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans) are all sole representatives of their teams, while Shivam Dube (Chennai Super Kings), and Abhishek Sharma (Sunrisers Hyderabad) also find a place. The inclusion of Jitesh Sharma, the sole representative from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, highlights his consistent performance in the middle-order which has earned him a spot ahead of other contenders. This broad representation confirms that merit and performance, regardless of the franchise, remain the ultimate criteria for selection.
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