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India’s T20I captaincy for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 remains a hot topic in the cricketing world, with the team management facing a crucial decision as the tournament approaches. The biggest question is who will lead the Indian T20I squad in the prestigious multi-nation event scheduled to commence from September 9 in the UAE — Hardik Pandya or Shubman Gill — amid doubts over Suryakumar Yadav’s fitness and availability.
Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav’s race against time
Suryakumar Yadav, currently India’s designated T20I captain, has been recovering from sports hernia surgery undergone in Germany earlier this year. The 34-year-old star batter has shown promising signs of regaining fitness. Recently, he was seen batting in nets at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as part of his rehabilitation. Though there is optimism about his return, his final inclusion will depend on medical clearance received closer to the tournament start. If fully fit, he is expected to lead the team once again, just as he did in most recent major T20 tournaments.
Suryakumar’s record as captain has been impressive overall, having led India in 22 matches with 17 wins. He has been a pivotal figure in India’s T20 setup ever since Rohit Sharma retired from the format following the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup victory. However, his recent struggles with form — scoring only 258 runs in 14 innings at an average of 18.42 since taking up the captaincy — have raised some concerns. This has fuelled speculation that if Suryakumar is unable to lead or finds his form faltering, the team management may turn to other capable leaders.
Hardik Pandya vs Shubman Gill: The contenders of Team India’s contenders
Hardik, the dynamic all-rounder and a natural leader, has been in the leadership picture for some time. He has previously captained India in 16 T20Is with a winning record of 10 victories and 5 losses, boasting a healthy win percentage of 62.5%. Pandya also proved his captaincy mettle in the Indian Premier League by leading Gujarat Titans to their maiden title in 2022. His ability to lead under pressure and contribute significantly with both bat and ball makes him a strong contender if Suryakumar’s availability remains doubtful.
On the other hand, Shubman, who was recently appointed as India’s full-time Test captain, has also been considered a potential leader for the shorter formats. The young right-handed batter has already captained India in T20Is during a five-game series in Zimbabwe in 2024 and has shown maturity and tactical acumen beyond his years. His leadership in Tests and consistent performances with the bat have earned him praise, positioning him as a future captain in India’s white-ball and red-ball sides. Gill’s leadership skills, combined with his rising profile in limited-overs cricket, make him an attractive alternative option.
The team management faces a delicate balancing act. Suryakumar’s return to full fitness and form would simplify captaincy decisions, but the possibility of injury or lack of sharpness creates uncertainty. Hardik’s experience and past captaincy success give him a strong claim, while Gill’s youthful energy and leadership in Tests signal long-term planning.
As of now, the official squad for Asia Cup 2025 is expected to be announced in the third week of August, with India set to begin their campaign against the UAE on September 10. The Asia Cup is crucial as it provides momentum ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, making the captaincy choice even more significant.
Also READ: Asia Cup 2025 – UAE Cricket Board COO addresses concerns over India-Pakistan clash
