As India gears up for the Asia Cup 2025, there is one selection issue that stands out above all others, and that is the No. 3 batter in T20I cricket. Since we can expect Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma to open the batting in the event, that leaves the middle-order anchor to either seasoned sanju Samson, or up-and-comer Tilak Varma. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has stated this month that he feels strongly about the selection of sanju Samson, because he knows tournament cricket is about experience. Kaif feels Samson should be prepped in the No. 3 position, with the T20 World Cup coming up in six months.

Kaif notes that Samson can take on all world-class spinners, such as Rashid Khan of Afghanistan, in the middle overs of matches where outcomes are often decided. He is the combination of a good stroke-maker, and someone who builds innings well, and his fearless attacking style amplifies this quality. History in the IPL will also make a good case for Samson. He has almost always been in the best six-hitters in the IPL, and routinely takes the batting in an innings to a different level while making bowlers ineffective when he is accelerating. he can slow things down if needed to consolidate for the rest of the innings when you have lost early wickets, or he often can make benefit of good work done by the openers.

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In making a strong case for Samson as a fixed role at No. 3, Kaif believes that role could bring vital stability and rhythm to India's batting order ahead of the World Cup. Tilak Varma adds youthful exuberance and fearless intent to the conversation. The 22-year-old left-hand batter has entered into international cricket with an incredible impact, scoring 400-plus runs in T20Is with an average of over 80 and with multiple match-winning deliveries in his performances. Tilak has already demonstrated that he can withstand pressure and assume responsibility, going in and producing calm knocks, even in the most difficult overseas conditions. He ticks all the boxes for a modern-day T20 batter with his power hitting and ability to rotate the strike. But Kaif could argue that Tilak has plenty of time and will bide his time while Samson leads that role in the immediate.

Stability or Flash? What India Needs at No. 3

The discussion really centers around whether India should choose stability at No. 3 or style. If India opts for Samson in the No. 3 position, he would be a reliable campaigner with experience who would be capable of soaking up pressure and navigating tricky parts of the innings. The ability to maintain temperament and experience in tight moments is something that could be of massive value for high stakes games. This would be especially true for tough opponents in Asia Cup and beyond. And then there is versatility: he could hold down an innings if wickets fell early on or show his attacking range if a platform had already been laid. 

Conversely, the other option at No. 3, Tilak Varma, represents the future of Indian T20 cricket. He has been incredible with the bat in recent weeks and his confidence at that age is reminiscent of some past greats who established themselves early in their careers. If you add him at No. 3 position you bring a freshness and fearlessness to India's middle order, and he is equally good against pace and spin. However, putting an inexperienced player at this important position for such a big tournament certainly poses large risks.

The management of India has a textbook conundrum: stick with the dependable experience of Samson or embrace boldness of youth and current form with Tilak. With the T20 World Cup on the agenda, whichever option they choose could determine India’s batting identity for the near future. Conversely, Samson provides certainty and proven leadership in the middle order, while Tilak epitomizes future promise and vitality. Regardless of the options the selectors go with, the ramifications of this decision will be instrumental in India’s success at Asia Cup in 2025.

The senior men's national selection committee has chosen the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. In the inclusion of Shubman Gill, Axar Patel has been removed from the vice-captaincy role. Former Indian cricketer has reacted to this decision, as he is disappointed with it.  

Indian Test captain Shubman Gill, who is also the vice-captain in the ODI side, has returned to the T20I format, as he has been selected for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host between September 9 and 28. He last played a T20I match in July 2024, when India toured Sri Lanka. Before that tour, while India toured Zimbabwe, Gill led the Indian T20I side for all five matches. Now, for the Asia Cup 2025, Gill will play the deputy captain role of Suryakumar Yadav.  

See Also: Why no Shreyas Iyer in Asia Cup 2025 squad?

Axar did no wrong: Mohammad Kaif

Gill has replaced Axar Patel in the T20I vice-captaincy role, while the all-rounder will continue his playing role for the national team. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, the 2000 U19 World Cup-winning captain, feels that Axar didn't do any wrong that he lost his T20I vice-captain role, and he deserved a proper explanation about this. 

I hope Axar Patel was informed about his removal from vice-captaincy in advance and he didn't come to know about it from the press conference. Axar did no wrong so he deserves an explanation. @akshar2026

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 19, 2025

India will face Pakistan in Group A of Asia Cup 2025

India will start the Asia Cup 2025 from Group A, where they will face Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. The top two teams of the group will advance to the Super Four of the tournament. Apart from the 15-member squad, the selection committee also chose five standby players for the tournament. 

India’s squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (Captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel

The India squad for Asia Cup 2025 is yet to announce and the speculations are rife as to who should be included in the squad. Many cricket pundits are coming with their version of the squad and former India cricketer, Mohammad Kaif has also joined the bandwagon. Kaif was unveiled his predicted playing 11 for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

Kaif has stuck with the premier T20 opening pair, Sanju Samson ans Abhishek Sharma. They are followed by Tilak Verma, and Suryakumar Yadav. In the all-rounder’s slot he has gone with Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar. He has picked Kuldeep Yadav Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah as bowlers. He also provided the backups while speaking on his Youtube channel.

See Also: "Mohammed Siraj did it but..."- Former India star comments on Jasprit Bumrah's criticism after ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

“There is a tough fight for the backup opener spot between Gill and Jaiswal. I think, given the form he showed in England, Gill would be preferred. The backup keeper would be Jitesh Sharma, based on how he has performed for RCB. I think Mohammed Siraj should also be in the squad,” said Kaif.

Mohammad Kaif picks for Asia Cup 2025:

Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.

Shubman Gill has passed his first assignment as Test captain with letter marks. As the newly assigned captain for the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, he not only did wonders with the bat but also impressed cricket fraternities through his leadership qualities. After an all-square 5-match Test series against England, former India international Mohammad Kaif has started to believe in captain Shubman. Kaif opined that Gill will be the perfect man to guide the men in the Blue Brigade in the limited overs cricket also after Rohit Sharma, who is the current skipper of India's ODI setup.

As the leader of the test team, Gill got a relatively inexperienced side. In the way India managed to snatch victory from England's mouth at The Oval, it showed the character of the team. Kaif did not forget to mention that before the series, Gill was struggling to maintain his composure in batting. But as soon as the series kicked off, the batter took himself to the next level, welcoming the opportunity with both arms. 

"He was such a calm captain. He led with composure under pressure. He will get the ODI captaincy as well because we don't know how long Rohit Sharma will continue as captain. Gill is ready to take over. He scores in white-ball. He has performed well as captain here in tests and led from the front. When you go with a young team, you have to do both things—score with the bat and do well as captain. A brilliant tour for him overall," the cricketer-turned-commentator said on his YouTube channel. 

Read More: 25-year-old Pakistan's mystery spinner jumps 69 places in latest ICC T20I rankings

Based on individual brilliance, Gill ended the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy as the highest run scorer with 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40, including a career-best 269 in the first innings of the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

"When he became captain, there were many questions as to why he was made captain, looking at his test record. A young captain reached England under a lot of pressure with a young team. He answered with his bat, and it came to a point where he was compared to breaking Sir Don Bradman's record. Such a strong comeback with the bat," Kaif added. 

Gautam Gambhir might have taken a breath of relief after the yorker from Mohammed Siraj uprooted the last wicket of England at Kennington Oval. The win in the final match to level the series 2-2 is not only important for the players but also equally important for Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of India.

If India was unable to win the 5th match of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, the scoreline could speak in support of England. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif said that Gambhir was the man who was under more pressure than anyone. India went to play the 5-match Test series after losing to New Zealand at home 0-3 and against Australia 1-3 during the previous Border Gavaskar Trophy. Before the Oval match, England was leading the series by 2-1, and India was in the back seat. Kaif heaped praise on Gambhir for believing in his strategy under immense pressure.

"The most pressure on this tour was on him. As a coach, he was not as successful in tests. I feel people were waiting so that if India lost this test, the most criticism would be on him. People wait to make memes of him on social media and talk bad about him. Maybe this would have been his last as a coach in Tests if India had lost. There was that much pressure on him. But where it is due, we must praise him wholeheartedly," Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Read More: Watch: When Mohammed Siraj posted TV recording of commentators praising his dismissal of Rishabh Pant in IPL 2017

Gambhir's stretegy proved on point 

Cricket experts and fans were skeptical about the team selection. There was criticism for not playing wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to increase batting depth. 

"We all said that Kuldeep must play in Bumrah's absence, but Gambhir stuck to having batting depth. He wanted batting till number eight, and his decision proved right. The two tests we won—you look at Jadeja's and Sundar's roles there. As there was depth in batting, we could score runs, and then the series ended in a draw as we could win. It was a good decision. He was there with a young team. I can understand how much pressure was on him," Kaif added. 

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif heaps praise on Mohammed Siraj. Kaif appreciated the never-die attitude Siraj possessed during the match. At The Kensington Oval, without Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace bowling lineup did an incredible job to restrict England’s first innings score to only 247.

After making a 92-run opening wicket partnership, the home team could not hold their momentum, and they fell apart due to India’s relentless bowling, especially from Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Without Jasprit Bumrah, in such a high-voltage match, someone needed to step forward, hands up. Siraj and Krishna did that. They both took 4 wickets each during the first innings of the England vs. India 5^th Test of the ongoing 5-match series.

When teams are concerned about workload management issues, Mohammed Siraj has made a standout performance. In the 5-match series, he participated in all five matches. In the first innings of the ongoing match at The Oval, the right-handed pacer single-handedly destroyed the home team’s middle-order batting structure. Captain Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jacob Bethell lost their scalps to the Indian pacer again.

Mohammed Siraj doesn’t get the due he deserves. his never say die attitude brings crowd to the stadium, what a true india champion.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 1, 2025

Read More: "I Love Taking Responsibility," Says Mohammed Siraj After Stellar Spell in The Oval Test

A tireless bowler for India

Among the three steamers, Siraj was the most expensive. But he did not try to pull himself back and maintained the line on the stumps. Over the years, he evolved as a wicket-taking bowler. Kaif said that Mohammed Siraj doesn’t get the due he deserves. “Mohammed Siraj doesn’t get the due he deserves. His never-say-die attitude brings crowds to the stadium. What a true Indian champion,” the former India international wrote in a social media post.

So far, in the tour against England, Siraj delivered his best during the Birmingham Test. In that match, he got a total of 7 wickets; he claimed 6 of them in the first innings.

The performance of the Indian fast bowlers was quite disappointing on the third day of the Manchester Test. The team’s most experienced fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, also failed to make an impact. England’s batsmen dominated the Indian bowling attack and scored more than 500 runs by the end of the day. Bumrah took only one wicket for 95 runs in 28 overs on the third day. He also left the field for a while during the match, which once again raised questions about his fitness.

Looking at this performance, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif made a shocking prediction. Kaif believes that Jasprit Bumrah may retire from Test cricket after not performing well in the fourth Test against England.

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Kaif Raises Concern Over Bumrah's Future in Test Cricket

The Ace pacer has looked off rhythm in the ongoing Manchester Test against England, with a noticeable drop in his pace. Bumrah has been bowling in the 130–135 km/h range, which is a significant dip from the speeds he was hitting during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy opener at Headingley. In the first innings of the Manchester Test, Bumrah has managed to take just one wicket — that of wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has now hinted that fans may need to prepare for a future without Bumrah in the longest format.

"Jasprit Bumrah might retire from Test cricket. He is struggling with his body. His body has totally given up. His speed is now slow in the Manchester Test. I pray that my prediction is wrong, but from what I saw in this Test, I feel he is not enjoying himself. He’s a selfless person. If he feels he’s not giving 100 percent for the team, he will leave Test cricket," Kaif said in a video shared on his X account.

Mohammad Kaif said - "Jasprit Bumrah might retire from Test Cricket. He is struggling with his body, His body has totally given up. His speed now slow at Manchester Test. I pray that my prediction is wrong but what I saw in this Test, I feel that he is not enjoying himself, He's… pic.twitter.com/jjjRqxZU10

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 26, 2025

Indian Bowlers Struggle in Bumrah’s Likely Last Test of Series

Even though Bumrah was available for what could be his final Test in the series — as it was planned that he would play only three out of the five Tests on the England tour — the Indian bowlers found it hard to break through England’s batting lineup.

Bumrah had earlier played the first and third Tests, performing very well in both matches at Leeds and Lord’s.

Bumrah to retire from tests? pic.twitter.com/PnMR2y6oEi

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2025

"Losing Out on His Body" – Kaif

“There is no doubt about Bumrah’s passion and commitment,” Kaif said, “but his body is not supporting him anymore. His poor performance in this Test clearly shows that it will be difficult for him to continue playing Tests.”

Kaif added that after Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, Indian fans may also have to prepare to see the team without Bumrah in Test matches. “I hope my prediction is wrong, but I am only saying what I have seen,” he said.

Jasprit Bumrah had a tough third day during the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford in Manchester. It was late in the evening session when he picked up his first wicket of the fixture, drawing the outside edge of Jamie Smith, who was surprised by the extra bounce of the surface before Dhruv Jurel dived forward to grab a great catch.

However, it hasn’t been a strong two days in the field for the premier pacer. He started with a wayward bowling with the new ball, drifting down the leg side on the England openers. Even when he came with various spells, the fast bowler was on target on multiple occasions. And that has pushed the former India batter, Mohammed Kaif, to smell an early Test retirement for the Gujarat pacer.

See Also: [WATCH] No Sachin Tendulkar in AB de Villiers’ Top 3 batters of all-time

Bumrah might retire from tests? pic.twitter.com/BZNPRccRbG

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 26, 2025

‘I think Jasprit Bumrah may not play the next Test match and call his retirement from the format. He is struggling with injuries and bowling slowly. He is a robust guy, and if he doesn’t feel 100% and isn’t ready to pick wickets and help the side, then he could say goodbye to the format, as I feel.’ Kaif expressed in a video he posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Watch: Mohammed Kaif predicts Jasprit Bumrah’s retirement from Tests

‘Not getting wickets is normal, but the pace he had of 140+ has been missing, and the ball to which he got the wicket was so slow that the keeper needed to dive forward. A fit Bumrah would have caught it at shoulder height. The ball zips through to the batter. He is someone who can dismiss a batter whenever he wants.’ Kaif added.

Bumrah has so far featured in 91 Test innings to pick up 218 wickets at an average of under 20 and a strike rate of 42.74. In Manchester, his current bowling figures read 1/95 in 28 overs, including five maidens at an economy rate of 3.40.

‘The passion is the same. But he seems to have lost the battle with the body. Not bowling well in this Test proves that he perhaps hasn’t been in a good mindset. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ashwin went ahead, and I guess the fans need to get used to it without Bumrah. Hope the prediction gets wrong, but that’s what I have seen here.’ Kaif is addressed in the video.

Mohammad Kaif was furious over Team India's choices for their playing XI for the 4th Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The former cricketer blasted captain Shubman Gill for dropping Karun Nair from the line-up. For the do-or-die match, the Indian team management put Sai Sudharsan in place of Karun Nair.

Karun, who played in the last three matches, did not meet the expectations through his batting stats. After a splendid domestic season, Karun made his strides back into the Team India dressing room with high expectations. But, so far, his performance has remained underwhelming. He got his chance in the first three games of the tour, batted in 6 innings, but did not come close to his best. 

Karun Nair's run in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy so far:

Leeds Test: 0 and 20 runs.

Birmingham Test: 31 and 26 runs.

Lord's Test: 40 and 14 runs. 

Read More: WATCH: India's debutant Anshul Kamboj 10 wicket haul against Kerala in Ranji Trophy last season

Nair came under the spotlight when he scored a triple century in the Whites. After that, his career graph gradually fell from the cliff. After years of waiting and relentless hard work in the domestic circuit, he finally got another chance to shine. But, under pressure, when Team India needed him the most in the ongoing tour, Nair's bat mostly remained cold. In the 4th Test, the batter was sent back to the reserve bench to make way for a young batter, Sai Sudharsan. 

According to Kaif, Shubman Gill, India's Test team captain, should support Karun in spite of excluding him from the XI. 

"Today was Shubman Gill's chance to back Karun, who was down but deserved one more chance. He should have picked Karun Nair. Chance missed to earn the respect when it comes to making tough decisions as a leader," the former international wrote this on his social media post.

Today was Shubman Gill's chance to back karun who was down but deserved one more chance. He should have picked Karun Nair. Chance missed to earn the respect when it comes to making tough decisions as a leader.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 23, 2025

Triumph in the 1983 World Cup is still fresh in memory. India humbled the mighty West Indies in that game. On that historical day at the Lord’s, Kapil Dev’s India added another thriller encounter to the pages of cricket history. On July 13, 2002, it was the moment for Sourav Ganguly’s Team India.

From ’83 to 2002, India was still considered the emerging cricket country, an underdog. When they stepped into the Lord’s Cricket Ground to play the final of the NatWest series against England, it was a battle like the battle between David and Goliath. England, the home team, played the part of the giant. Like 1983’s final, India found themselves again on the back foot while chasing a target of 326. Over two decades ago, a target over 300 was considered beyond the grip of the second batting team.

Again, a heart broke for India in a final that was looked at very closely when Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Dinesh Mongia came and went. The foundation established by Virendra Sehwag (45) and captain Sourav Ganguly (60) is about to be demolished by Andrew Flintoff, Ronnie Irani, and Ashley Giles. In the second innings, the scoreboard was ticking at 146, and India was already down by 5 wickets, and England was oozing with confidence. 

Read More: WATCH: Jofra Archer's absolutely furious deliveries after taking second new ball in ongoing ENG vs IND 3rd Test at Lord's

That partnership of Kaif and Yuvraj...

Back in those days, India could be considered the second favorite in the finals, but the cricketers never learned to surrender without taking the last breath. Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, two fresh-blooded young stars, almost out of the equation, created an unthinkable partnership of 121 in 106 balls. 

Partnership over a hundred today may not sound surreal, but back then, when India just started to take off with a bunch of new faces, it was a different thing. Kaif, who is mostly known for his exciting fielding skills, won the man of the match award for scoring an unbeaten 87 off 75 deliveries, and Yuvraj Singh got 69 off 63 before going back to the dugout. After the departure of Yuvraj, Harbhajan Singh added another important 15 runs, and Zaheer Khan managed to hang on to the wicket with Kaif and steal another infamous win for the Men in Blue. India won the match by 2 wickets and 3 balls to spare.