Why was Shubman Gill appointed vice-captain in India’s squad for 2025 Asia Cup?

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill has been recalled to the T20I squad and handed the vice-captaincy for the Asia Cup 2025, as announced on Tuesday, August 19. The 25-year-old replaces Axar Patel in the leadership group and will be playing his first T20I since July 2024. With the continental tournament beginning on September 7 in the UAE, Gill’s comeback adds both leadership and batting depth to the squad, as he prepares to resume his role in the shortest format after focusing on red-ball cricket.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav said that Gill's absence from T20Is over the past few months was largely due to his commitment to Test cricket. Also, Gill was vice-captain even in his last T20I, so he had been entrusted with responsibilities. His return will bolster India days ahead of the Asia Cup by adding balance and experience to a team seeking another title.

"Last time when he played T20 post WC, when we went to SL, he was vice-captain. That's where we started new cycle for T20WC. After that we got busy with Test cricket, and he didn't get opportunities. We're happy to have him," Yadav said on Tuesday (via ESPN Cricinfo).

We obviously see leadership quality in him: Ajit Agarkar

Men’s selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar expressed confidence in Shubman Gill’s leadership and form, noting that the right-hander had already been leading in Test cricket and was also the vice-captain in the last T20I he played for India, as highlighted by skipper Suryakumar Yadav. Agarkar emphasised that the selectors clearly saw leadership qualities in Gill and hoped he would carry his outstanding form from the England tour, where he amassed 754 runs in five Tests, including four centuries, into the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 campaign.

“He is already leading in test cricket, like Surya mentioned he was VC in the last T20I he played for India. We obviously see leadership quality in him. His form in England is what we are hoping for," Agarkar said on Tuesday.

IPL performances rewarded for Asia Cup 2025

The biggest highlight of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement was the recall of Shubman Gill, who was also handed the role of vice-captain. The 15-member squad saw the absence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had been part of India’s victorious 2024 T20 World Cup squad. Jaiswal, however, was named among the five standby players. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma earned a spot in the main squad, joining Sanju Samson as one of the two keeping options for the continental tournament in the UAE.

Rinku Singh, who had only been a standby during the 2024 T20 World Cup, was rewarded with a place in the main squad this time. On the flip side, some big names were left out, including Shreyas Iyer, who missed out on both the main squad and the standby list. The selectors focused on balancing the squad with a mix of experienced campaigners and young talent as India aims to strengthen its side ahead of the Asia Cup challenge.