Since its start in 1984, the Asia Cup—Asia's own cricketing tournament—has served as a desired destination for intense rivalries, thrilling milestones, and unforgettable finals. Like all things cricket, the Asia Cup is the only continental championship where cricketing giants in the Asian region (i.e., India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan) compete for regional supremacy. The Asia Cup has shifted between both ODI and T20 formats in the previous editions, making the tournament even more exhilarating and unpredictable for fans around the globe.

Over the course of the history of the Asia Cup, there are three teams that continued to dominate the history of the tournament (India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan). India sits on top of the pile in the most championships earned category, and if you break it down between both formats, India consistently shows an ability to win. Sri Lanka sits behind India with six total championships, which shows that they also have committed to this region's tradition of winning finals matches. When you turn attention to Pakistan, while they have not been consistent winners of the Asia Cup, they are still able to mark down their spot in history. Bangladesh and Afghanistan have not yet won a title and continue to compete for their first championship, which adds even more excitement every new edition!

Asia Cup Winners By Year

• 1984 - India
  India claimed their first Asia Cup title, in Sharjah (UAE), with Sunil Gavaskar as their captain.
• 1986 - Sri Lanka
  Sri Lanka recorded their first Asia Cup title by winning the final against Pakistan in Colombo.
• 1988 - India
  India added to their Asia Cup pedigree by winning their second title.
• 1990-91 - India
  Sri Lanka's Asia Cup success was eclipsed by India, who added their third crown in total and second consecutive title.
• 1995 - India
  Consistent performances secured India their fourth Asia Cup title.
• 1997 - Sri Lanka 
  Sri Lanka, on the back of strong home performances across the tournament, recorded their second title.
• 2000 - Pakistan
  Pakistan entered into the arena, winning their first Asia Cup title against Sri Lanka in a nail-biting final in Dhaka.
• 2004 - Sri Lanka
  The island nation lifted their third title on home soil by beating India in the final.
• 2008 - Sri Lanka
  Unbelievable batting performances from all batsmen led Sri Lanka to their fourth Asia Cup title in Pakistan.
• 2010 – India  
  India won their fifth title against Sri Lanka in the final at Dambulla.
• 2012 – Pakistan  
  The second edition of the tournament took place in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where it only brought with it a trophy won narrowly by Pakistan.
• 2014 – Sri Lanka  
  Sri Lanka won their fifth title by winning the final against Pakistan held at Dhaka.
• 2016 – India (T20)  
  India won the Asia Cup in its first T20 format in Bangladesh.
• 2018 – India  
  India won their seventh title, finishing on the last ball against Bangladesh in Dubai.
• 2022 – Sri Lanka (T20)  
  Sri Lanka won their first T20 Asia Cup in Dubai, defeating Pakistan in a final.
• 2023 – India  
  With India winning the Asia Cup for the eighth time, India continues its reign at the top.

Here are the champions so far in Asia Cup history 🏆

Can we see a new champion in the T20 Asia Cup 2025? 👀#Cricket #AsiaCup #T20 #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/n737G6F0k6

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 30, 2025

See Also: Know dates, timings, and venues of all matches in Asia Cup 2025

Will we see a new champion in the T20 Asia Cup 2025?

The Asia Cup has been largely dominated by just three giants in cricket—India (8 titles), Sri Lanka (6 titles), and Pakistan (2 titles). The boards of these three nations played a huge hand in forming the tournament, and they seemed to determine some decision-making in how and why the Asia Cup takes place. Yet as Bangladesh and Afghanistan have emerged as increased forces in the men's game, we have at least seen some increased energy and interest in this tournament by those two nations. Both teams have made finals or forced the bigger names in international cricket to play hard to win, but neither has been able to finish. The T20 Asia Cup 2025 offers another golden opportunity for either of these teams to shake loose the monopolistic grip of the familiar champion and create history. 

The unpredictability of T20 cricket leaves the door wide open for new outcomes. In Bangladesh's case, they have some experience, albeit not enough, as cricket is now becoming a "big stage" game. With plenty of talent and world-class spinners and fearless batters, Afghanistan can also cause some quick devastation. If either of these teams can control their nerves in a knockout stage match, then watch out for the heartbreak of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India, as it may be their turn to hand over the trophy to a new champion. And in that moment, all cricket fans will be waiting for the question—"Will we see the same winner again (India, Sri Lanka, or Pakistan) or a new winner in 2025?"

India vice-captain Shubman Gill will arrive in Bengaluru today to begin his training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in preparation for the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The 25-year-old opener, who has recently recovered from a bout of viral flu, had to miss the first round of the Duleep Trophy, but he is now fit and ready to play. 

Gill had light gym sessions in Mohali and a short net hit earlier this week, but heavy rain in North India limited his practice as he prepared for the Asia Cup. So travelling to Bengaluru made sense because he could work through routine testing and get ready for cricket before joining the rest of the group. 

There has also been an expectation that Gill would fly directly to Dubai from Bengaluru, where other players from the Asia Cup-bound squad will also be assembling. The Indian team will eventually land in Dubai on September 4, where they have scheduled training from September 5. Their opening game is on September 10 against the hosts United Arab Emirates.

ALSO SEE: Five bowlers to produce best bowling figures in Asia Cup history ft Ajantha Mendis

India Squad – Asia Cup 2025:

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

Tournament Schedule

Group Stage Matches:

• September 10 – India vs United Arab Emirates
• September 14 – India vs Pakistan
• September 19 – India vs Oman

Potential Super 4 Matches (if India qualify):

• September 21 – A1 vs A2 (Possible India vs Pakistan)
• September 23 – A2 vs B1
• September 24 – A1 vs B2
• September 25 – A2 vs B2
• September 26 – A1 vs B1

Final:

• September 28 – Final (Top 2 teams from Super 4)

The Asia Cup 2025 is not just a regional tournament; it’s also a key preparation ground for next year’s ICC events. For Gill, who has been in top form over the past year, this tournament provides another chance to cement his leadership role in Indian cricket alongside Surya.

With Dubai set as India’s base and match-day travel plans already in place, the team looks geared up for a high-intensity tournament. All eyes will now be on Gill as he begins his journey from Bengaluru to lead India’s batting charge in the Asia Cup.

This time around, Team India will take the field at the Asia Cup 2025 with no sponsor's logo on their shirts for the first time in over a decade. The absence of a kit sponsor follows Dream11's recent termination agreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This came after the introduction of the new Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans real-money gaming companies from sponsoring its national cricket team, and because of this, Dream11 ended its ₹358 crore deal that the company signed in July 2023 for multiple years. 

With the tournament commencing on September 9 in the UAE, the BCCI indicated it does not have enough time to come to terms with a new sponsorship agreement. The BCCI did have discussions with some international brands, including Toyota and a top fintech start-up, but decided not to rush into a temporary sponsorship. Board officials will focus on a long-term sponsor that will cover major ICC tournaments, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Team India Jerseys to Be Sponsorless in Asia Cup 2025

At a recent Apex Council meeting, chaired by interim president Rajeev Shukla looked for stability, not precipitate sponsorship. They believe that even if they secure a sustainable, multi-year deal, it will provide them with better commercial value and reliability regarding the branding of the team.

ALSO SEE: Duleep Trophy 2025 Round 1: All Scores from Day 2

The decision comes with a cost, and visually. Not having a sponsor means loss of revenue for the board, which makes six hundred crores annually from jersey sponsorship, typically. The jerseys will look awful for the fans of the Indian team without a logo on the jerseys - cricket, as we know it in the modern age for fans has logos on the jerseys. 

However, BCCI believes that this step is an investment into the future as it holds out from signing a quick deal, and sends a signal to potential partners that they want to have premium, long-term associations with brands. 

India goes into the Asia Cup sponsorless, and this episode stands to highlight the changing nature of sports sponsorships (in India). Tighter regulations, changing market processes, and evolving consumer habits on how consumers interact with sponsors will require more stability on the commercial front when cricket teams associate with brands. There may be a visible loss in the short term, but BCCI is hoping the same quality will yield larger payoffs down the road.

Throughout the history of the Asia Cup, the bowlers have time and again managed to hog the limelight. In an era where the batters seem to be getting way too much in their favor, a handful of bowlers still manage to valiantly stun the batting sides with their exceptional bowling wizardry. Hardly anyone can forget Ajantha Mendis' destructive six-wicket haul in the 2008 Asia Cup final, which brought India to its knees. However, in recent times, it was Mohammed Siraj who produced a ground-breaking bowling performance of 6-21 to bowl out Sri Lanka cheaply for 50 in the 2023 Asia Cup final. 

While Mendis and Siraj have succeeded in leaving their lasting legacy in the Asia Cup, who are the other bowlers who still managed to find a way to thrive in this batter-dominated era of the game? And have they been successful enough to etch their names in the record books? In this article, we bring you the top five bowlers to have recorded the best-ever bowling figures in the history of the Asia Cup. 

See also: Five batters with most runs in Asia Cup history (ODI & T20I combined)

Ajantha Mendis (6-13 vs India in Asia Cup, 2008)

Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis holds the record for producing the best bowling figures in the history of the Asia Cup. His magical figures of 6-13 spun a vicious web around the Indian batters in the 2008 Asia Cup final. Leading into the Asia Cup final, India emerged as the strong favorites. At a time when a very few experts anticipated an unlikely victory for Sri Lanka, Mendis did the unthinkable. Sehwag got India off to a rapid start. Sri Lanka needed something out of the ordinary to stem the flow of runs. But as soon as the ball was tossed to Mendis, things immediately took a turn for the worse for India. Mendis deceived the in-form Indian batters with his uncanny variations in pace and flight. In addition, the mystery spinner wisely altered his line and length to further add to India's woes. Right after dismissing Sehwag in his first over, Mendis was on a roll. Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, and RP Singh were among the other five victims he accounted for. In the end, Sri Lanka achieved an incredible victory over India. On the back of Mendis's destructive 6-13, Sri Lanka went on to thrash India by an unbelievable margin of 100 runs.

Mohammed Siraj (6-21 vs Sri Lanka in Asia Cup, 2023)

In the 2023 Asia Cup Final, all hell broke loose on Sri Lanka as Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj ran riot with the ball. The Lankan side barely got a chance to stage a fightback as Siraj went on to script his career-best ODI figures of 6-21 to floor Sri Lanka cheaply for 50. In overcast conditions, Siraj utilized the new ball to good effect, leading to the undoing of six frontline Sri Lankan batters. What also played to his advantage was the brisk pace he was able to generate to trouble the Lankan batters. Contrary to what people had expected earlier, the Asia Cup final ended in a very one-sided affair, thanks to Siraj's hostile spell of bowling. He got the ball rolling by having Nissanka fend at an away swinging delivery. A couple of balls later, Samarawickrama followed suit after getting struck in front of the stumps. Siraj's onslaught continued further as Asalanka and Dhananjay fell inside the very same over. By the end of the fourth over, Sri Lanka were brought down on their knees, losing half the side for just 12 runs on the board. In his 7-over spell, Siraj only conceded two boundaries and accounted for six dismissals while giving away just 21 runs. This was also the fourth-best bowling performance recorded by an Indian bowler in the ODI format. 

Aaqib Javed (5-19 vs India in Asia Cup, 1995)

Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed unleashed an unprecedented wave of terror during the third match of the 1995 Pepsi Asia Cup against India. After posting a competitive target on the board, Javed provided the Men in Green an ideal start. The two India openers, Manoj Prabhakar and the dangerous Sachin Tendulkar, were dismissed cheaply inside the first three overs of the run chase. By then, India's momentum was severely disrupted. Despite a valiant stand between Navjot Siddhu and Mohammed Azharuddin, Javed was able to dismiss the latter and throw the game wide open for Pakistan again. Vinod Kambli and Javagal Srinath were his next two victims as India were dismissed for 169, leaving them well short of their required target of 267. Javed starred with the ball with exemplary figures of 5-19 and was awarded for his heroic deed with a POTM award. 

Arshad Ayub (5-21 vs Pakistan in Asia Cup, 1988)

In an epic low-scoring thriller, Arshad Ayub helped India prevail in what turned out to be a tense contest with Pakistan. The 3rd fixture of the Wills Asia Cup 1988 was impacted by weather, resulting in a shortened 45-over game per side. Ayub bowled a marathon nine overs, picking up five wickets while conceding only 21 runs. He joined hands with Maninder Singh and bowled effectively in tandem to obliterate Pakistan's top order. As a result, the Pakistan innings never got off the ground and were floored for a meager 142. At a time when Pakistan were crusing along nicely at 62-0, Ayub, out of nowhere, produced a magical spell to trigger a catastrophic batting collapse. He was miserly with the ball and did not concede a single extra in his nine-over spell. Although Abdul Qadir kept Pakistan in the game, India eventually went on to get over the line by four wickets. This was Ayub's first and only five-wicket haul in his ODI career. Sadly, a couple of years later, his international career came to a premature end. Ayub's 5-21 will go down as one of the most underrated spells in the history of the Asia Cup. 

Kuldeep Yadav (5-25 vs Pakistan in Asia Cup, 2023)

During the ninth fixture of the Asia Cup 2023, Kuldeep Yadav etched his name in the record books by becoming the fifth Indian bowler to claim an ODI five-wicket haul against Pakistan. By doing so, he joined the elite list featuring legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Venkatesh Prasad, and Arshad Ayub. In this fixture, Pakistan were utterly humiliated by the Men in Blue, first with the ball and later with the bat. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli added to Pakistan's misery by mounting a colossal score of 356-2. Just when it seemed like the worst had passed, another humiliation was already looming for Pakistan in the second innings. Kuldeep ran through the fragile batting lineup like a hot knife through butter. In his eight-over spell, Kuldeep returned figures of 5-25 and never allowed Pakistan to gain any foothold in this match. His five primary scalps included dismissals of Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf. As a consequence, Pakistan went down without a fight and were bowled out for just 128, thus handing India their biggest ODI victory against the Men in Green. 

Cricket in Hong Kong is entering a new era of growth and opportunity with the announcement of a landmark partnership between Cricket Hong Kong China and Arivaa Sports Private Limited.

Arivaa Sports, an India-based sports management company, has been confirmed as the official sponsor of the Hong Kong Men’s Cricket Team, supporting their journey from grassroots development to the Asia Cup 2025 and beyond. This partnership is expected to boost resources, exposure, and opportunities for Hong Kong cricket as the team continues its upward trajectory in international competitions.

Arivaa to Manage Hong Kong Sixes 2025

Alongside the sponsorship deal, Cricket Hong Kong has also appointed Arivaa Sports as the exclusive management and commercial partner for the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. The iconic short-format cricket spectacle will return on October 31, November 1, and November 2, 2025, at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong.

The Sixes is one of the most unique and entertaining cricket events in the world, known for its fast-paced matches, festival-like atmosphere, and international flavor. The 2025 edition promises to be the biggest yet, with players from 12 different countries competing over three action-packed days.

🚨 ARIVAA SPORTS 🤝 CRICKET HONG KONG. 🚨

-Arivaa Sports will be sponsoring Hong Kong's men's cricket team. 👏 pic.twitter.com/YuKbzQcSAw

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 23, 2025

Leaders Speak on the New Era

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Burji Shroff, Chairperson of Cricket Hong Kong China, said: “We are excited to be taking steps forward this year to enhance the Sixes. The Sixes is a tournament steeped in history, and with Arivaa Sports as our exclusive partner, we are convinced this year’s iteration will be larger, better, and more engaging than ever before.”

Adding to this, Mr. Rajneesh Chopra, Co-Founder of Arivaa Sports, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are privileged to be entrusted with such a prestigious global event. The Hong Kong Sixes is a unique celebration of cricket, and we will work hard to ensure a world-class experience for players, fans, and stakeholders.”

ALSO SEE:Sanju Samson bats at number 5 position in ongoing KCL 2025

A Bright Future for Hong Kong Cricket

The dual role of Arivaa Sports both as sponsor of the Hong Kong Men’s Team and as commercial partner for the Sixes marks a transformative step for cricket in Hong Kong. The collaboration is designed to bring global exposure, professional expertise, and fan engagement to new heights, blending tradition with innovation.

As the Hong Kong Men’s Team prepares for the Asia Cup 2025, and the legendary Sixes makes its grand return, fans can look forward to a thrilling new chapter in Hong Kong’s cricket journey.

Hong Kong team for Asia Cup 2025

Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Ashish Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Haroon Mohammad Arshad, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed, Anas Khan, Ehsan Khan

Pakistan's cricket community is ablaze after Chief Selector Ajib Javed confirmed that the recent rumors were true and Babar Azam will not be in the 17-member squad for the T20I Asia Cup. Fans were taken by surprise as they expected the experienced batter to play at this big tournament, but Javed said that they were committed to their team plans, and every decision made was with the long-term plan in mind.

Babar, who is one of Pakistan's biggest run-scorers over the past couple of years, has been outside of the T20I considerations in the last few series, but his omission from the Asia Cup squad has opened up more conversations about the selectors and their perceived biases. Pakistan appears interested in reshaping its batting order and giving younger and newer players opportunities, and management seems focused on keeping a modern look at its talent targets and avoiding perceived inheritances.

ALSO SEE: 3 Teams Who Should Target Prithvi Shaw for IPL 2026, Featuring Chennai Super Kings

Babar Azam left out of Asia Cup squad but kept on standby by selectors

Reports additionally indicate that Babar was unable to participate in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) this season either. It’s believed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) does not want him playing franchise cricket abroad, instead preferring him to stay on standby for the Asia Cup. While Babar may be off the main squad for now, it shows the selectors have him in their plans for something like a back-up during the tournament, in case they need to call on him.

This situation has raised plenty of debate among fans and experts alike. Some claim it's a risk to leave out a player of Babar's quality, particularly for such an important tournament, given his experience and ability to set an innings up, which has been crucial in recent tournaments. Other comparisons have been made that the selectors are looking ahead and are right to be building a team for the future, capable of doing well and adapting to the fast pace of modern T20 games.

Babar Azam's role in Pakistan's T20 set-up can be somewhat uncertain at the moment. Given his absence, Pakistan may seem to be heading in a different direction strategically, but with him being kept on standby, we cannot officially discount him being called into the playing XI.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has appealed to the cricketing community to avoid blaming players for participating in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, despite rising tensions with Pakistan. He emphasised that the athletes should not be held responsible for political or security concerns surrounding the tournament.

Gavaskar’s comments come amid calls to boycott the event following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which tragically claimed the lives of several tourists. The incident sparked widespread discussions on whether players should take part in matches involving Pakistan, given the sensitive security situation.

The discussion gained more traction after two scheduled India vs Pakistan games in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) were called off, further fueling the ongoing debate. Several former players, including Shikhar Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh, refused to play, highlighting the controversy.

See Also: “All of the UK has complained….”- Former Indian cricketer shares fun behind the scenes moments of India vs England series

Sunil Gavaskar urges fans not to fault players’ Asia Cup participation:

Sunil Gavaskar stressed that current players deserve respect for focusing on cricket and representing their nation professionally, without facing undue criticism. So, he emphasized that Indian team players do not make such decisions themselves. 

They strictly follow instructions issued by the BCCI and the Indian government, having no personal role in determining participation in events like the Asia Cup.

Gavaskar said, “ If the government has taken a call, I don't see how the players can be criticised or commented upon, because the players at the end of the day are contracted to the BCCI and they will be taking the instructions from the government of India. And so it entirely depends on that.”

He further said, “ The players are helpless in this. They've been selected to play in the Asia Cup, and if the government says you have to play, then they will go out and play. If the government says you don't, then the BCCI will act accordingly.”

When questioned about whether Indian players should withdraw from matches against Pakistan, Gavaskar clarified that such decisions rest solely with the Indian government, and the team will follow whatever directive is issued. He added, “ Like I said, it is entirely up to the government of India to tell the BCCI what to do.”

India’s Road in Asia Cup 2025:

India will begin their Asia Cup 2025 journey against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai. India’s eagerly awaited showdown with Pakistan will be played on September 14 in Dubai, followed by their final group stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

After the group stage, the Asia Cup 2025 will move into the Super 4 phase, where the leading two teams from each group qualify. Should India secure the top spot in Group A, all their Super 4 fixtures are scheduled to be played in Dubai, giving them consistent conditions throughout this crucial stage of the tournament.

If India ends up second in Group A, they will play one Super 4 match in Abu Dhabi, while the remaining two fixtures will still be hosted in Dubai. The Super 4 stage runs from September 20 to 26, with the final scheduled in Dubai on September 28.

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Robin Uthappa expressed surprise over the omission of Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer from India’s squad for the 2025 Asia Cup. Speaking as an analyst, Uthappa questioned the decision, pointing out Iyer’s recent form.

He highlighted that Iyer delivered an outstanding batting performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy, showcasing consistency and match-winning abilities. According to Uthappa, such efforts should have been rewarded with a spot in the Asia Cup squad, especially given India’s need for experienced middle-order batters in high-pressure tournaments.

The former India cricketer further emphasized that Iyer’s leadership qualities and batting versatility make him a valuable option for the national side. He believed that the selectors might have overlooked an in-form player who could contribute significantly. Uthappa’s remarks have sparked discussion among fans and experts, many of whom share similar views about Iyer’s absence from the squad.

See Also: “No one is better than him” - Ambati Rayudu backs Virat Kohli to play 2027 World Cup

Robin Uthappa Questions Shreyas Iyer’s Omission from Asia Cup Squad:

Shreyas Iyer started his IPL journey with Delhi Capitals, leading them to their first final. Later, he showcased his leadership with Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, taking both sides to consecutive finals, and eventually lifting the trophy with KKR in 2024, marking a significant achievement in his franchise journey.

In IPL 2025, Shreyas Iyer impressed with the bat, amassing 604 runs from 17 innings at a brisk strike rate of 175.05, which included six fifties. Shreyas last played a T20I against Australia in December 2023, accumulating 1,104 runs in 51 matches at a strike rate of 136.12, including eight fifties.

Shreyas Iyer emerged as India’s top scorer in the 2025 Champions Trophy, amassing 243 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 48.60, including two fifties. His performances were instrumental in India’s first ICC title win since 2013. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar responded casually and briefly when asked about Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s Asia Cup squad.

After Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the Asia Cup squad, Robin Uthappa shared his thoughts, expressing hope that the Mumbai batter was clearly told the reason behind his omission from the T20 tournament. On Wednesday, August 20, Uthappa took to X, voicing concern that such communication is important for a player’s confidence and growth, especially after consistent performances at the highest level.

He wrote, “ There are around 18 T20Is to go before India play the next #T20WC; not having #ShreyasIyer, who was integral in helping you win the CT, seems strange. But one can only hope that he gets into this side soon coz he deserves it! I hope they have communicated to him about his exclusion.”

Shreyas Iyer is expected to return to action during India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting October 19. After missing out on the Asia Cup squad, the right-hander will look to showcase his form and consistency in Australian conditions, aiming to strengthen his position in India’s white-ball setup ahead of future international assignments.

BCCI announced a squad for Asia Cup 2025. The board has tried to create a well-balanced team on pen and paper with the skipper Surya Kumar Yadav in front. Shubman Gill was assigned as his deputy for the tournament. Outside the squad, there are a lot of talents who could be named in the team. The article is to fix a lineup only with the non-selected players. 

The non-selected XI:

Sai Sudharsan: One of the best Indian batters of IPL 2025. After playing back-to-back effective innings for Gujarat Titans, the top-order batter got a chance to represent India's Test squad. In 15 matches, at an average of 54.21, the emerging batter scored 759 in the season. But, unfortunately, he was not named for the Asia Cup 2025 squad. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal: The 23-year-old became a reliable opener for all formats. After playing 23 T20Is, the southpaw maintained an average over 36, supported by one century and 5 half-centuries. Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of BCCI, said that the competition was between Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma. They chose Sharma over Jaiswal. In IPL 2025, in 14 matches for Rajasthan Royals, he scored 559 runs at an average of 43.00.

Ishan Kishan: The keeper-batter who utilized the IPL 2025 as his stage to bounce back. After a lot of controversies, the aggressive, versatile cricketer announced his retirement from Sunrisers Hyderabad with a hundred. The batter, who has experience playing over thirty T20Is, played 14 matches for Hyderabad to score 354 runs at an average of 35.40. 

Shreyas Iyer: Iyer's snub from the Asia Cup 2025 squad came as the most shocking decision by the BCCI selectors. After making a brilliant comeback in ODIS, the batter led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final. For Punjab, the middle-order batsman scored 604 runs in 17 IPL 2025 matches and maintained a batting average of 50.33. In 47 T20I innings for India, he scored 1,104 runs in total. 

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KL Rahul: The 33-year-old revived himself through the IPL 2025 season and continued his smooth batting during the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy against England. For Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, the top versatile batter got 539 runs under his belt by playing 13 matches. Against England, he scored a couple of hundreds as well. 

Riyan Parag: Another cricketer who could be in the Asia Cup squad. In IPL 2024 and IPL 2025, his batting average jumped to over 30, which showed how the all-rounder has developed himself over the years. Parag, so far, has batted in 6 T20Is for India, where he mostly operated as a lower middle-order batsman. In those matches, he batted in 4 different positions. Parag’s versatility could prove useful in Dubai. 

Washington Sundar/Krunal Pandya: Under pressure, the 25-year-old smashed a hundred at Old Trafford to save Team India from the worst possible result. At The Oval, during the final and series-decider Test, Sundar claimed a half century in the second innings. In 6 IPL 2025 matches with GT, the all-rounder scored 133 runs in 5 innings and took only a couple of wickets.

Krunal Pandya, the best player of the IPL 2025, the unsung hero for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The all-rounder claimed 17 wickets for RCB in 15 matches and played an unbeaten 73-run innings as well. His T20I stats are also attractive enough for national team selection. In 19 T20Is, Krunal took 15 scalps and scored 124 runs. 

Ravi Bishnoi: The spinner from Rajasthan emerged as a standout performer in domestic cricket and IPL. Through his effective bowling spells, Bishnoi got to play for India and has already played 42 T20Is to get 61 wickets. In the IPL 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants star struck 9 times in 11 games. 

Yuzvendra Chahal: The experienced spinner played a vital role in taking Punjab Kings to the final of IPL 2025. Proving multiple opposing factors wrong, he bagged 16 wickets in 14 IPL 2025 matches for Punjab Kings. The 35-year-old played 80 T20Is for Team India and got 96 wickets. For Northamptonshire, he played a few county matches in recent times with notable success. 

Mohammed Siraj: The new superstar for Team India whose brilliance helped Shubman Gill lead India to defeat England at The Oval and made the scoreline 2-2. The tireless fast bowler played 15 IPL 2025 matches for Gujarat Titans and clinched 16 wickets. After playing 16 T20Is, his economy rate stands at 7.79, and he has bagged 14 scalps in total. 

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar: Kumar is the man who, in IPL 2025, proved old is gold. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the seamer took 17 wickets, playing 14 matches at an economy rate of 9.28. The seamer, who played his last T20I match in 2022, could be an interesting addition for the Asia Cup 2025 squad.

India's non-selected XI for Asia Cup 2025:

Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), KL Rahul (vc), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar/Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.

India's full squad for Asia Cup 2025:

Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), and Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh.

The much-awaited Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin soon, with the tournament being hosted in the UAE from September 9. The competition will feature eight top Asian teams, divided into groups, all competing for continental glory in the T20 format.

India, a top favorite for the tournament, revealed its 15-player squad for the Asia Cup on Tuesday, August 19. The selection has sparked excitement among fans and experts, with big names making the cut and a few surprising omissions grabbing attention. Shubman Gill was also confirmed as the team’s vice-captain, highlighting the selectors’ faith in his leadership potential.

Former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar shared his ideal playing XI from the announced squad, combining experienced players with young talent to create a well-balanced team with depth in batting and bowling. With high expectations, Team India looks determined to make a strong impact in the tournament.

See Also: ‘Shubman Gill's strike-rate is a little lesser’- Veteran India all-rounder shares bold opinion on India’s Asia Cup squad

Abhishek Nayar Revealed His Preferred XI:

Abhishek Nayar revealed his preferred India playing XI for the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup. His selection blends youth and experience, aiming to create a balanced side capable of adapting to different conditions and delivering consistent performances.

With Shubman Gill making his comeback to the T20I squad and being named vice-captain, Abhishek Nayar placed his trust in him as an opener. He paired Shubman with the young Abhishek Sharma, forming a promising opening partnership. The combination reflects a mix of experience and youthful energy, setting a strong base for India’s batting in the Asia Cup.

In Nayar’s lineup, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav batted at 3 and 4, with Pandya, Sharma, Patel, and Dube in the middle-lower order. For the bowling unit, he leaned on spin power, selecting Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy to strengthen India’s attack, giving the squad depth and variety in crucial conditions.

In Nayar’s preferred XI, Jasprit Bumrah was chosen as the only frontline pacer, while the absence of left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh came as a surprise. Along with Arshdeep, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh did not find a place in the lineup, as Nayar prioritized a balanced mix of batting depth and spin options for the upcoming Asia Cup challenge.

According to Abhishek Nayar, India’s probable playing 11 for Asia Cup is Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah.