Gill & Abhishek To Open, RCB Star As Wicketkeeper? India’s Likely Playing XI For Asia Cup 2025

The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup is set to be played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28. This year, the matches of the premier continental event will be played in T20I format. The BCCI organised a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday, August 19, where chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced India’s 15-member squad for the eight-team tournament. Shubman Gill returned to the T20I set-up after more than 12 months, and in addition to him, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav also featured in the squad. With the inclusion of these three all-format players, the fight for a place in the playing XI has heated up. Here’s a look at India’s strongest playing XI for the premier continental event.

Shubman Gill is the current vice-captain of India's ODI team

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill is back in the T20I side and was named as vice-captain as well. He is all set to play as an opener in the Asia Cup. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)

Abhishek Sharma is the world’s No. 1 T20I batter. He has scored 535 runs in 17 matches played so far. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Tilak Varma is the world’s No. 2 T20I batter. He bats at No. 3 for India in T20Is and has scored 749 runs in 25 matches played so far. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Team India's 2025 Asia Cup squad, captained by Surya Kumar Yadav, has only four players from 2022.

Suryakumar Yadav is the captain of India’s T20I team. He has scored 2598 runs in 83 matches. (Picture Credit: AFP)

In 71 T20Is for Team India, Axar Patel has scored 535 runs and dismissed 71 batters. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Hardik Pandya has 1812 runs and 94 wickets to his name in 114 T20Is played so far

Hardik Pandya has played 114 matches in which he has scored 1812 runs and picked up 94 wickets. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Jitesh Sharma is back in India’s T20I team after a super show in IPL 2025 for RCB. He is likely to keep wickets for India and play as a finisher in the Asia Cup. (Picture Credit: AFP)