ASIA CUP 2025
Gill has returned to the T20I set up. © Getty
Shubman Gill returns to India’s T20I squad, and straight back into a leadership role. The 25-year-old opener has been named vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025, marking his return after missing the last assignment in the format, against England. He joins Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as the three frontline openers in the 15-man group led by Suryakumar Yadav.
There’s no place for Yashasvi Jaiswal or Shreyas Iyer, but Jitesh Sharma has edged in as the second wicketkeeper.
Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Standby Players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Gill’s position in the format had been under scrutiny after Samson and Abhishek impressed across series against Bangladesh, South Africa and England. But the Gujarat Titans skipper enjoyed a productive IPL 2025 – 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87 – while also leading his franchise to the playoffs. Still, both Jaiswal (559 runs at 159.71 SR) and Iyer (604 runs at 175.07 SR) scored even faster.
But Gill will now double up as Suryakumar’s deputy, having recently overseen India’s drawn Test series in England in his first assignment as captain.
Also back is Jasprit Bumrah, India’s Player of the Series at last year’s T20 World Cup, who replaces Mohammed Shami. Bumrah’s return bolsters a pace unit that also features Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya. The spin options are Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel, with Abhishek offering part-time cover.
In a noteworthy change, India’s squad composition would likely indicate towards a structural change with potentially one fewer all-rounder in the playing XI. Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, Ravi Bishnoi and Dhruv Jurel – all part of the England series earlier this year – miss out this time while Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh hold on to their spots.
India, eight-time Asia Cup champions, open their campaign against UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10.
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