India https://www.cricketwinner.com India Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:15:16 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html https://github.com/jpmonette/feed en Copyright © 2024 Cricket Winner. All Rights Reserved. <![CDATA[Selectors and Gautam Gambhir want Shubman Gill as India’s next T20 captain: Reports]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/selectors-and-gautam-gambhir-want-shubman-gill-as-india-s-next-t20-captain-reports/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/selectors-and-gautam-gambhir-want-shubman-gill-as-india-s-next-t20-captain-reports/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 21:47:51 GMT

Suryakumar Yadav is set to be 35 in under a month, and India selectors have begun discussions about the future. The selectors have an eye on rearing the next leader in T20 cricket. Test captain Shubman Gill was named vice-captain for the Asia Cup in the UAE, which starts September 9. 

This was evidently the focus of the meeting, and virtual attendance was had by head coach Gautam Gambhir. The committee, comprising Ajit Agarka,r also agreed unanimously that given Gill's age (he will be 26 next month) and ability to eventually succeed Surya, Gill was a good option as a long-term vice-captain.

Including Gill in the T20 squad for the first time this year also suggests that he will be a member of the playing XI, returning to T20 cricket after a record-setting test series in England (heavy runs scored) to boot, but showcasing leadership qualities during that tour, which caught the eye of the management.

 

Grooming the next captain

Agarkar clarified that Gill had been in contention for the T20 vice-captaincy all along. "He was the vice captain when we went to Sri Lanka last year. After that, he was occupied with Test cricket," Surya added. Gill had missed India's T20 assignments against South Africa and England due to injury and mental load. Selectors stated that if he had been available, he would have been in the leadership group.

The performances in England made Gill's juxtaposition impossible. The way he coped with pressure, leading from the front, was enough for decision-makers to see a glimmer of hope in Gill being the face of Indian batting in an era after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. “We see leadership qualities in him, and his form in England exceeded expectations. That’s a great sign when there’s so much responsibility on a young captain,” Agarkar said.

ALSO SEE: Key Bangladesh cricketer will miss home series before Asia Cup 2025

Axar overlooked, Jaiswal misses out.

Interestingly, Gill was not the first candidate in early discussions. Some advocated for Axar Patel to keep the vice-captaincy. However, there was a view to invest in a younger player who could potentially provide Indian cricket with at least five years of service.

We have worked out above, the price of that decision is Yashasvi Jaiswal. He played well on the England tour and had an excellent start to his international career, but the left-hander was jettisoned to allow Gill to return to his position at the top. This puts the management in a position to have to re-evaluate the opening combination after the promising series of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.

India's Asia Cup squad

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.

Standbys: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

]]>
<![CDATA[Asia Cup 2025: Out of the blue this team issues warning for India and Pakistan]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/asia-cup-2025-out-of-the-blue-this-team-issues-warning-for-india-and-pakistan/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/asia-cup-2025-out-of-the-blue-this-team-issues-warning-for-india-and-pakistan/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:32:25 GMT

The Asia Cup 2025 is knocking on the door, where India will play to defend their title. Along with India, Pakistan cricket will be there to prove themselves. For this edition of the Asia Cup, a total of 8 teams will be in the race for the glory. Out of nowhere, the head coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a warning for both India and Pakistan, the two Asian cricket giants.

UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput does not want to treat them as the underdog of the tournament. They are preparing for the tournament after registering notable wins over test-playing nations Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The coach warned the big teams of the tournament by saying that they are heading towards the contest to fight for every inch of the field. 

"The crucial phase is beginning for the UAE team. Beating test-playing countries, especially Bangladesh, gave us a lot of confidence. It’s not about overconfidence; it’s about believing we can compete and win against anyone. You never know; anything can happen. We can upset any team," Rajput said during a recent interview. 

Read More: ICC Women's ODI World Cup: Strongest playing XI for India

Aim for bigger upsets!

Rajput tries to put focus on the mindset and the fitness of his boys. He emphasized fitness, skill, and fielding to perform at the highest order against the strong opponents. By keeping their momentum in a rhythm, the UAE cricket team is hoping to pull out upsets in the Asia Cup 2025. 

"We are focusing on skills, fitness, and fielding. Playing against better teams requires players to be mentally strong and physically fit. Fitness is very important. Players’ improvement and form are essential. They cannot remain stagnant. We want to keep building on the momentum. If you can beat a team like Bangladesh, why not aim for bigger upsets? Our players are excited and ready to take that challenge," he added.

 

]]>
<![CDATA[Why no Shreyas Iyer in Asia Cup 2025 squad?]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/why-no-shreyas-iyer-in-asia-cup-2025-squad/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/why-no-shreyas-iyer-in-asia-cup-2025-squad/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:26:14 GMT

On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 to be held in the UAE. One of the biggest talking points was the absence of Shreyas Iyer in the squad. The middle-order batter went from sensational form across formats and a blockbuster IPL 2025 season with Punjab Kings to being omitted from the Asian championship squad.

Ignoring Iyer’s T20 Record

The decision surprised many, given Iyer's numbers in T20. The stylish batter had over 600 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 175.07, which is the third-best strike rate in a 600+ run IPL season, with only Chris Gayle (2011) and Suryakumar Yadav (2023) possessing a higher strike rate. Iyer has been one of the most desirable middle-order players in T20 cricket, dominating spin and controlling the middle overs.

Iyer's excellence is deeper than just IPL performances, as he has enjoyed a sensational run in both domestic and franchise cricket. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 IPL title; he led Mumbai to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title; he captained SoBo Mumbai Falcons to the final of the Mumbai T20 League; earlier in the year, he made telling contributions towards India's Champions Trophy win as well.

Selectors Back Current XI

Explaining Iyer's exit, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said it was not a form issue, it was about balance. “All of the players who have had an opportunity in this playing XI have been good players in the past,” Agarkar said, emphasizing once again that this was not a question of Iyer's abilities.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led India Asia Cup squad also has Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Most notably returning are Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav after one year away, with Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Sanju Samson also included.

ALSO SEE: Prithvi Shaw celebrates century in maiden innings for Maharashtra during ongoing Buchi Babu Trophy 2025

India Squad for Asia Cup 2025

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

Standby Players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel.

Looking Forward

While Iyer may sense a degree of injustice, selectors appear to have chosen consistency with a group that has performed consistently for over a year. The Asia Cup is taking the place of the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the middle-order saga is far from over. Iyer will remain in the selection discussion, likely moving forward.

]]>
<![CDATA[Bumrah receiving signed jersey from Zlatan]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/bumrah-receiving-signed-jersey-from-zlatan/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/bumrah-receiving-signed-jersey-from-zlatan/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:04:01 GMT

In what was a fabulous off-field memory, India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah received a signed AC Milan jersey from football's great, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Bumrah shared his sheer happiness on social media, holding Ibrahimovic's No. 11 jersey. The pacer stated, “Woohoo, words fall short. Ecstatic.” The 31-year-old Bumrah thanked his wife, Sanjana Ganesan, for making the moment possible, making it an even better memory. 

Bumrah's Turnaround in Focus Ahead of the Asia Cup

While his signature jersey has fans buzzing, the good news for cricket is that Bumrah's anticipated return to India's squad for the Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9 in the UAE. India will start their campaign against the hosts, the UAE, on September 10; the final is scheduled for September 28. 

Bumrah played the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year, taking 14 wickets in three Tests, including two five-wicket hauls. Bumrah missed earlier this year on the Champions Trophy, where injury doubts with a lower back injury have now been cleared, and he has reportedly made himself available for selection.

ALSO SEE: Rohit Sharma shares strong message for Mumbai citizens in heavy rain

A Boost for Team India 

Bumrah’s inclusion will certainly boost India. He has been a proven match-winner for India in all formats with his skill, pace, and experience. Bumrah might also give Mohammed Siraj some time off after the Hyderabad pacer bowled all five Tests in England with long spells. 

Bumrah has not played white-ball cricket since the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in June 2024 and has not played ODI cricket since the 2023 World Cup final, so he will be raring to play in the continental event. 

Asia Cup 2025: Squad Out

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), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

With a signed jersey by Zlatan already making his week special, Bumrah wants to make equally special memories on the field when the Asia Cup gets underway.

]]>
<![CDATA[Asia Cup 2025 India Squad Announcement: Live streaming details and when & where to watch]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/asia-cup-2025-india-squad-announcement-live-streaming-details-and-when-where-to-watch/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/asia-cup-2025-india-squad-announcement-live-streaming-details-and-when-where-to-watch/ Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:49:47 GMT

So the date to unveil India's T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has neared. While every Indian fan holds their breath in anticipation, one thing is most certainly clear. A massive announcement is around the corner with a very high chance of key players missing out, despite their stellar form. The Indian T20I squad are in the form of their life. Following their historic T20 World Cup win in 2024, the team has hardly put a foot wrong. India haven't lost a single T20I series ever since their second T20 World Cup title win, suffering just three losses in three T20I games.

Much of their success can be attributed to the splendid performances of the youngsters such as Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Washington Sundar, who have taken India to some inspiring T20I wins of late. As the youth and the experienced continue to perform well in tandem, the management will have to contend with a massive selection headache.

But all our doubts will be put to rest in the upcoming squad announcement press conference, which tentatively begins at 1:30 PM local time. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, along with the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, will be in attendance today to field questions from the press conference. 

See also: Asia Cup 2025: Why Shubman Gill should be selected in the squad?

Key FAQ's from India's Asia Cup squad announcement press conference

Date and time of India's Asia Cup announcement PC? 

The press conference of India's Asia Cup squad announcement takes place on August 19 at 1:30 PM local time. 

Where will the Asia Cup squad announcement take place?

The BCCI Headquarters in Mumbai will stage the high-stakes Asia Cup announcement press conference.

Where to watch India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad on TV?

The press conference of India's Asia Cup squad announcement will be televised on the Star Sports 1 network.

Where will the Asia Cup squad announcement press conference be streamed in India?

India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement will be streamed on Jio Hotstar.

Additionally, the BCCI is also set to unveil India's ODI squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia and also look to finalize the women's squad for the grand Women's ODI World Cup in due course. 

 

 

 

 

 

]]>
<![CDATA[[WATCH] Fans pay tribute to honor the proud achievements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/watch-fans-pay-tribute-to-honor-the-proud-achievements-of-virat-kohli-and-rohit-sharma/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/watch-fans-pay-tribute-to-honor-the-proud-achievements-of-virat-kohli-and-rohit-sharma/ Sun, 17 Aug 2025 12:54:46 GMT

The craze for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is simply unmatched throughout the global cricketing universe. Needless to say, the two legendary players have a long list of achievements in Indian cricket, which makes them among the most elite sporting icons in the country. And when the duo celebrates, so does the entire nation of India. 

The tailsmatic duo has given its fanbase countless moments to cherish. Both have led the Indian cricket team across all formats and achieved some towering milestones with the bat, which only a few can dare to surpass. Being absolute match-winners for their sides, the fans decided to give something back to the duo. On the auspicious occasion of the Janmashtami festival, a group of fans from an unnamed location in Pune gathered around to offer tribute to the god-like figures. 

On a giant screen, visuals of the two cricketers along with the entire cricket team were shown. The visuals on display were from India's emphatic T20 World Cup Final win in 2024, which the Blues managed to win from an unbelievable position. Kohli had a very crucial role to play on that day as he scored a gritty fifty, albeit at a sluggish rate, to take India to a competitive score. The skipper Rohit shuffled his bowlers efficiently during key stages of the run chase to keep South Africa at bay.

See also: Sony Network puts heavy advertisement price for India's matches ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Watch the video:

Apart from the T20 World Cup heroics, another defining moment in their career came during the Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament saw a befitting end. Pakistan, who played as the hosts, were eliminated prematurely as India, under the diving leadership of Rohit, prevailed handsomely, winning all fixtures in the tournament. The duo has called time on their Test and T20I careers in an effort to focus on the ODI format. Their one final ambition would be to help India taste sucess in the upcoming ODI World Cup which is slated to be held in 2027. 

 

 

]]>
<![CDATA[[Watch] "Tu Kab Se Mera Baap Ban Gaya?": Irfan Pathan Recalls Shutting Down Shahid Afridi]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/watch-tu-kab-se-mera-baap-ban-gaya-irfan-pathan-recalls-shutting-down-shahid-afridi/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/watch-tu-kab-se-mera-baap-ban-gaya-irfan-pathan-recalls-shutting-down-shahid-afridi/ Sat, 16 Aug 2025 22:31:01 GMT

Irfan Pathan shared a funny yet heated story from India’s 2006 tour of Pakistan. During a flight from Karachi to Lahore, when both teams were travelling together, Shahid Afridi walked up to him, messed up his hair, and said, “How are you, kid?” Pathan replied, “Since when have you become my father?” This led to a small argument, as Afridi started using abusive words while sitting right next to him.


On the other side, Pathan was sitting with Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq. While chatting, Pathan asked him about the types of meat available in Pakistan. Razzaq listed a few, and then Pathan suddenly asked, “Is dog meat available here?” Afridi, who was listening, was shocked. Razzaq also asked why Pathan said that. Pathan replied, “He has eaten dog meat, that’s why he’s been barking for so long.”

 

ALSO READ: “It will be unfair…” - Karun Nair on comparisons with Rohit Sharma
Afridi stayed quiet for the rest of the flight.
Pathan said that from that day, Afridi knew he couldn’t win against him in an argument, so he never tried again. Their rivalry didn’t end there. Pathan had many good performances against Pakistan, taking 67 wickets and scoring 807 runs, including a hundred. One of his big moments was in the 2007 T20 World Cup final, where he dismissed Afridi for a golden duck.

]]>
<![CDATA[No place for Gill or Jaiswal: India's probable squad for Asia Cup 2025]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/no-place-for-gill-or-jaiswal-india-s-probable-squad-for-asia-cup-2025/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/no-place-for-gill-or-jaiswal-india-s-probable-squad-for-asia-cup-2025/ Sat, 16 Aug 2025 11:25:57 GMT

India's T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025 will likely be announced on August 19. The marquee eight-team tournament isn't too far away from kick-off, as it commences on September 10. With a little over three weeks to go, speculation has already begun mounting on who would make it to the squad and who won't. As an obvious speculation, Suryakumar Yadav is most certainly expected to be retained as a captain. But the vice-captaincy position may be up for grabs as reports suggest that Axar Patel could be in real danger of losing out on that role should Shubman Gill make it to the squad.

On the other hand, there seems to be no room for the all-format specialist opener Yashavi Jaiswal, who is coming off a dream tour from England. Despite his recent success in red-ball and white-ball cricket, Jaiswal may not make it as the management is more keen to press ahead with the opening combination of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Besides, in the pace department, a big question mark looms over Jasprit Bumrah's participation. The star pacer featured in only three out of the five Test matches in the Anderson-Teundulkar Trophy series, citing workload management.

With a plethora of selection headaches to combat, how will India's Asia Cup squad shape up? Read on as we attempt to answer this burning question.  

See also: Shocking selection surprise! Jaiswal likely to be left out of Asia Cup 2025

Batting department (Top order)

Abhishek Sharma is among the most obvious picks at the top of the order. As the top-ranked T20I batsman globally, Abhishek's ascent has been remarkable. In this year alone, he boasts an average of 56 in T20Is with a strike rate of 220. His likely partner is wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, who has been relatively quiet since achieving three T20I centuries last year. In the series against England, he accumulated only 51 runs over five innings at a strike rate of 119, although he improved to a strike rate of 140 during the IPL.

Reports indicate that Shubman Gill, the new and currently in-form Test captain of India, may be considered for the Asia Cup, with a possibility of being appointed as vice-captain. His strong performance in IPL 2025 certainly makes him a top contender, as he accumulated 650 runs at an average of 50 with a strike rate of 156. It remains to be seen how he will manage to break into the current opening pair. Sai Sudharsan, who won the Orange Cap this year, may feel somewhat overlooked. Tilak Varma, who has recently completed a stint in the One-Day Cup, is another player assured of selection. He was the second-highest run-scorer for India during the series against England and also had a commendable IPL season, with a strike rate of 138. A fit-again SKY is expected to captain the team.

All-rounders (Middle order)

Among the all-rounders, Hardik Pandya stands out as a clear choice, while Axar Patel, regardless of whether he maintains the vice-captaincy, is expected to be included as another option. In terms of strike rate, this IPL season marked his best performance to date (157), as he batted in positions four to six for the Delhi Capitals. Although his bowling performance was not as noteworthy, he maintains an average of 27 in the UAE, with an economy rate of less than six-and-a-half.

Washington Sundar may serve as another spin all-rounder. His T20I career has experienced significant fluctuations, lacking a consistent opportunity to showcase his skills; however, under Gautam Gambhir's guidance, this could potentially change. While it may be perceived as a touch of recency bias, his impressive Test series – albeit in a distinctly different role – should also marginally enhance his candidacy.

For the role of a backup seam-bowling all-rounder, Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy appear to be in direct competition. A concern for Nitish is his recent knee injury, as his latest social media updates indicate he is still undergoing rehabilitation. Dube has long been recognized as a viable option for spin-hitting, although his bowling performance has diminished in recent times. He had previously stepped in for Nitish during the England T20Is as an injury replacement.

Bowlers (Lower order)

Among spinners, Varun Chakravarthy stands out as a clear choice. Benefiting from a resurgence under Gambhir, he secured 14 wickets at an impressive average of 9.85 during the England series and maintained his form throughout the IPL. Kuldeep Yadav, who was sidelined for the entirety of the Test tour, may find himself waiting for his opportunities once more.

If Jasprit Bumrah is healthy (and there has been considerable uncertainty regarding his fitness recently), he will undoubtedly secure one position, leaving the remaining two positions to be occupied by Arshdeep Singh, a regular in T20I matches, and possibly Mohammed Siraj.

Siraj has not participated in T20Is since July of the previous year and was also absent during India’s Champions Trophy victory. However, there may be a strong inclination to reinstate him following an impressive series against England, despite the potential for significant competition from Prasidh Krishna, the winner of this season’s IPL Purple Cap. Additionally, Harshit Rana might also be aiming to secure a spot should Bumrah be unable to participate.

India's predicted squad for Asia Cup 2025 (As per Wisden)

Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Sanja Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube/Nitish Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohd Siraj/Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]>
<![CDATA[From Gambhir to Pathan, here is how the Indian cricketing fraternity reacted on India's 79th Independence Day]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/from-gambhir-to-pathan-here-is-how-the-indian-cricketing-fraternity-reacted-on-india-s-79th-independence-day/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/from-gambhir-to-pathan-here-is-how-the-indian-cricketing-fraternity-reacted-on-india-s-79th-independence-day/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 08:56:09 GMT

It's a day of honor and pride for the citizens of India as the nation takes the moment to celebrate its 79th Independence Day. It was on this very day, on August 15, 1947, that the struggles and the sacrifices of our beloved freedom fighters paid dividends. For the first time in history, India was freed from the British occupation. A new chapter unfolded as the country looked to brush aside the dominance of their colonial masters in an effort to cater to a bright future for its suffering citizens at that time.

From freedom fighters at the front line to people working behind the scenes, the fight for independence had everyone involved, highlighting the importance of everyone's role. As the nation gears up to hoist the tricolor all around, several cricketing personalities took the opportunity to extend their wishes on this auspicious day. 

Most notable of whom was the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir. With a past background in politics, Gambhir's deep patriotism for the country didn't go unnoticed as he took to his Twitter account to post the following:

“My country, my identity, my life! Jai Hind."

Gambhir's former teammate, Irfan Pathan, also took the opportunity to send his heartfelt wishes, urging everyone to stay united for a common cause.

In addition, several IPL franchises also followed suit and came up with creative posts in a bid to wish every Indian on this special occasion of Independence Day. 

 

See also: Asia Cup: Lok Sabha Member Says India Should Avoid Playing Cricket Against Pakistan

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also unveiled the national flag during a recent visit to the Red Fort, from where he addressed the nation. Although the mood was quite celebratory for the most part, Modi issued a stern warning to Pakistan and reminded them about the might of the Indian forces.

The relation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors has significantly deteriorated after the Pahalgam terror attacks. What followed was a highly sophisticated military campaign from the Indian government dubbed "Operation Sindoor." The operation was an immediate success, as the Indian armed forces were able to swiftly dismantle key military installations deep inside Pakistan. But a timely intervention from US president Donald Trump prevented the situation from escalating any further, and a ceasefire was brokered, which still remains in effect to this day. 

 

 

]]>
<![CDATA[Shocking selection surprise! Jaiswal likely to be left out of Asia Cup 2025 ]]> https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/shocking-selection-surprise-jaiswal-likely-to-be-left-out-of-asia-cup-2025/ https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/shocking-selection-surprise-jaiswal-likely-to-be-left-out-of-asia-cup-2025/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 07:59:00 GMT

In a groundbreaking development, Indian all-format opening specialist Yashasvi Jaiswal is highly unlikely to be picked for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which will be played in a T20 format starting on September 9. As per reports from TOI, Jaiswal has already been informed by the selectors about this decision and has been asked to focus his attention on red-ball cricket. It is worth mentioning that the left-handed opener was previously in a run-making spree in the recently concluded England tour, where he amassed a galloping 411 runs at a stunning average of 41.1, including two swashbuckling centuries. 

However, his record in the shortest format is nothing short of spectacular either. In 23 T20Is, the Mumbai batter has scored 723 runs, not to mention that he endured a remarkable stint with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2025 IPL season, where he scored 559 runs in 14 matches. Following his exploits in the IPL, Jaiswal made a strong selection case for himself in the Asia Cup 2025. But the management's inclination towards persisting with the opening duo of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order has potentially seen him left out of the Asia Cup squad.

A BCCI source revealed to TOI that apart from Jaiswal, even the likes of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are struggling to make it into the T20 squad. 

“With India looking to persist with the opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, Gill is currently struggling to even make it to the side. Even Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had a great series in England, and middle-order bat Shreyas Iyer are likely not to be picked for the T20 side. Jaiswal has been told by the selectors to focus on red-ball cricket."

See also: [WATCH] Hardik Pandya returns to Mumbai after completing fitness tests before Asia Cup 2025

India's Asia Cup squad likely to be announced on August 19

The Men in Blue will kick off their Asia Cup campaign by facing the UAE on September 10. Post that, the team will gear up to face the arch-rivals Pakistan in a blockbuster showdown on September 14. As the countdown to this much-awaited tournament draws to a close, a close BCCI source has confirmed that the squad details will be made public on August 19, post which, India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, will attend a press conference and field necessary questions from the media personnel. 

“Yes, the team for the Asia Cup will be picked on Aug 19 in Mumbai. The selection committee meeting will be followed by a press conference by chief selector, former India pacer Ajit Agarkar."

Moreover, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will also be flown from Bangalore to Mumbai for the selection meeting, which signals that the 35-year-old is most definitely a central figure in the BCCI's squad selection plans. India's most recent showdown in this format came during the home series against England earlier this year. The series was convincingly won by India by a margin of 4-1. Since their emphatic T20 World Cup win in 2024, India have only suffered three T20I defeats to this date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]>