"Doesn't happen by..."- Former India star shares suggestion for Shubman Gill ahead of Asia Cup 2025

For the last few days, the talk of the town has been whether the Test captain of the Indian side, Shubman Gill, would get selected for the Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many reckoned that if the Punjab-born made it into the squad, then the selection committee would have to leave out Tilak Verma, potentially. 

The former Indian spin all-rounder, Harbhajan Singh, wants the Test captain to be part of the event. He reckoned that the shortest format is more than just nailing a few big shots. During the recent season of the Indian Premier League, the right-handed batter drilled 650 runs in 15 innings at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.87, with the help of six half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 93 runs.

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“In the T20 format, it’s important to understand that it’s not just about big hitting. If Shubman decides to attack, he can match anyone because he is a very solid player with strong basics. A batter with such a strong foundation can score runs in any format.” Harbhajan Singh expressed during an interaction on the Times of India (TOI).

Harbhajan Singh advises Shubman Gill before Asia Cup 2025

The 25-year-old, who has clubbed over 750 runs during the five-match Test series in England on his debut series as leader, has overall smashed 578 runs in 21 innings at an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of nearly 140, with the help of three half-centuries and one century.

“Yes, we do have players like Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, but you cannot undermine or underestimate Shubman Gill. He is a very talented batter who can adapt to any format. He is an all-format player. In my opinion, he can play T20s and even dominate the format. We as fans are used to seeing fours and sixes every ball.” Harbhajan Singh addressed.

“I think the squad should be: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav – the captain, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag for the middle order, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant.” The 45-year-old concluded by predicting his Asia Cup 2025 squad.