The BCCI has named Suryakumar Yadav captain of India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.
Suryakumar Yadav, who has been India’s batting talisman in the shortest format, is back in the leadership role at a crucial juncture. He recently underwent sports hernia surgery in Munich, following a successful Indian Premier League (IPL) season where he finished as the second-highest run-scorer.
His return to full fitness will be under the spotlight as he looks to marshal a young yet formidable squad in pursuit of India’s ninth Asia Cup title.
Shubman Gill, India’s Test skipper, will serve as vice-captain. Gill last featured in a T20I in July 2024 against Sri Lanka, making his return in this format a significant subplot for India’s campaign.
Power-Packed Batting Line-Up
The selectors have blended experience with youthful exuberance. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, currently ranked the top two T20 batters in the world, have been retained, underlining India’s emphasis on aggressive batting depth. The duo’s consistency in international cricket and franchise leagues has transformed them into indispensable assets.
Middle-order firepower will be provided by Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, and Sanju Samson, while Jitesh Sharma returns as the first-choice wicketkeeper. Samson, who has often been in and out of the setup, will add additional flexibility in the middle order.
Strong Bowling Attack
India’s bowling attack looks balanced, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh, currently ranked as India’s top T20 pacer. The spin department boasts depth with Varun Chakravarthy, ranked world No. 4, alongside Kuldeep Yadav and all-round options in Axar. Chakravarthy’s inclusion signals India’s intent to rely on mystery spin in UAE conditions, while Kuldeep adds a traditional wrist-spin option.
The pace unit also includes Harshit Rana, a promising fast bowler who impressed with his IPL breakthroughs and now gets a big stage to prove his mettle.
India’s Group Stage Fixtures
The defending champions will begin their campaign against the hosts, the UAE, on September 10 at the Dubai International Stadium. However, all eyes will be on the September 14 clash against Pakistan, which promises to be the marquee group-stage contest.
The Asia Cup has long served as a stage for high-voltage India-Pakistan encounters, and with both sides boasting explosive T20 line-ups, the anticipation for this clash is already building.
History and Significance
India are the most successful team in Asia Cup history with eight titles, the last of which came in 2023 in the ODI format. Their dominance in the tournament has often reflected the depth of their bench strength.
The last time the tournament was played in the T20 format was in 2022, when Sri Lanka stunned Pakistan in the final. Since 2016, the Asia Cup has alternated between ODI and T20 formats to align with the global ICC calendar.
This edition, the 17th Asia Cup, gains added importance as it will be India’s only multi-nation assignment before the 2026 T20 World Cup, giving the team a vital opportunity to fine-tune strategies and test player combinations under competitive pressure.
Full Squad
India’s 15-member Asia Cup 2025 squad:
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Shubman Gill (vice-captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Jitesh Sharma
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Sanju Samson
- Harshit Rana
- Rinku Singh
Standby players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal
Road Ahead
For Suryakumar Yadav, this is a chance to stamp his authority as a leader in India’s evolving T20 setup. With Gill in vice-captaincy across formats, the Asia Cup could well shape the leadership roadmap for India’s white-ball future.
The blend of world-class batters, proven all-rounders, and a versatile bowling attack makes this Indian side one of the strongest contenders to lift the trophy in the UAE once again.