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With the Asia Cup 2025 just around the corner and India’s squad announcement due on August 19, former all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his weight behind Yashasvi Jaiswal as the natural successor to Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin outlined why the 23-year-old left-hander should be viewed as India’s first-choice opener in the post-Rohit era, while also pointing out the selection headaches awaiting Ajit Agarkar and his panel.
Ravichandran Ashwin explains why Yashasvi Jaiswal is the first choice for Asia Cup 2025
Ashwin’s argument hinges on Jaiswal’s role in last year’s T20 World Cup triumph, where he was drafted into the squad as Rohit’s understudy. Though he didn’t get a game, the team management had already earmarked him as the next in line. With Rohit now retired from T20Is, Ashwin believes the transition is seamless.
“In the last T20 World Cup, Yashasvi Jaiswal was included as the backup opener. So now, with Rohit stepping away, it’s only natural that Jaiswal is seen as a direct replacement at the top of the order,” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel.
The numbers back the case. Jaiswal has scored 723 runs in 23 T20Is at a blistering strike rate of 164.31, including one century and five fifties. His IPL record is just as compelling — 559 runs in IPL 2025 at an average of 43, along with a career tally of 2,166 runs in 67 matches at a strike rate over 150. Aggression, consistency, and the ability to seize the initiative early make him an ideal fit.
Also READ: 3 reasons why Yashasvi Jaiswal deserves a spot in India’s T20I squad for Asia Cup 2025
Emergence of in-form Indian batters presents Team India management with a sweet headache
While Jaiswal looks set to claim one opener’s slot, Ashwin threw his support behind Sanju Samson for the other. The Kerala star has been in phenomenal touch, rewriting records by becoming the first player to hit three T20I hundreds in a calendar year. His back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa have transformed him from a middle-order option to a genuine opening mainstay.
Dinesh Karthik has already gone on record saying Samson has “cemented his spot as an opener,” and the stats justify the hype — 461 runs in just nine innings at the top, averaging 57.62 with a strike rate nearing 194. Few can match that level of dominance.
But the rise of Samson complicates matters for Shubman Gill. Fresh off a strong Test series in England, Gill will be pushing for a T20I recall. Ashwin admitted it’s a tough balancing act for selectors: “Gill had an excellent series in England. But Samson has also been outstanding as an opener. That makes the decision very challenging.” Reports hint that management might even back the Samson-Abhishek Sharma duo, which could keep Gill waiting despite his credentials.
India’s Asia Cup campaign begins on September 10 against UAE, followed by the marquee clash with Pakistan on September 14. Played in the T20 format across Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9–28, the tournament is more than just regional bragging rights — it’s a vital lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav, cleared to return after hernia surgery, will captain with a fresh approach. Whether selectors align with Ashwin’s vision of a Jaiswal-Samson opening partnership, or spring a surprise with Gill or another contender, will be revealed on August 19.
Also READ: Mohammad Kaif picks his India XI for the Asia Cup 2025; no place for Shubman Gill
