Team India Asia Cup 2025 Squad.
With the high-voltage India-England Test series nearing its conclusion, all eyes are now set on the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, a key milestone on the road to the T20 World Cup 2026. This edition of the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format, and India’s squad announcement is already a topic of heated debate.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has remained tight-lipped for months, they’ve finally given the green signal for India’s participation in the tournament. This comes at a time when India-Pakistan relations are at their lowest in recent years, with growing voices demanding a boycott of Pakistan in global sports events. Nevertheless, BCCI has chosen to set politics aside and focus on cricket.
✅ Asia Cup 2025 Schedule and Format Confirmed
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi, has confirmed that the Asia Cup will be held from September 9 to 28 in the UAE. India, Pakistan, and UAE have been grouped together in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong form Group B.
India’s campaign will kick off against UAE on September 10, followed by their much-awaited clash with Pakistan on September 14. If both India and Pakistan progress to the final, fans might be treated to up to three Indo-Pak matches in the tournament—a dream scenario for cricket lovers.
🏏 Big Names Who Might Miss Out
In the midst of this excitement, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has stirred the conversation with his bold statements regarding the potential exclusions from India’s squad. According to him, three big names—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Rishabh Pant—may not make the final cut.
🔍 1. Jasprit Bumrah – Fitness Uncertainty Looms
Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead, has faced repeated injury concerns over the past year. Chopra believes Bumrah’s participation is still under a cloud of uncertainty.
He stated that if Bumrah skips the fifth Test against England, it might be a signal that he’s being preserved for the Asia Cup. But even then, his inclusion would depend on his fitness and team strategy.
“Bumrah’s availability is a big question mark. If he doesn’t play the fifth Test, I feel he might be selected for the Asia Cup. But overall, I don’t see too many changes from the squad that played the last T20I series against England,”
– Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel
Given the nature of T20 cricket and the physical demands on fast bowlers, India might opt for a cautious approach, keeping the long-term in mind, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching next year.
❌ 2. Mohammed Shami – Not in T20 Plans Anymore?
Once a vital cog in India’s bowling lineup, Mohammed Shami’s future in T20 cricket looks uncertain. Despite making a return before the Champions Trophy, he has been sidelined due to inconsistent form and fitness issues.
Chopra believes that Shami was only tested during that phase to assess his readiness for the Champions Trophy, and now that phase is over, he might not be part of the T20 setup at all.
“I can almost guarantee Shami won’t be picked. He was brought in to test his fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy. That ship has sailed. If he’s not in the Test side either, I don’t see him playing T20s at this point,”
– Aakash Chopra
With India focusing on young pace talent like Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan, Shami’s place in the shortest format appears to be slipping away.
🧤 3. Rishabh Pant – Still Not Ready for a Comeback
Another big name likely to miss out is Rishabh Pant, who has been on a long recovery journey following his horrific car accident in late 2022. Despite gradual improvements in fitness and training routines, Chopra doesn’t see him being ready for a high-pressure tournament like the Team India Asia Cup 2025 Squad.Because Due to the injury Rishabh Pant sustained in the Test match,he could ,miss this year`s Asia Cup.
Instead, he suggests that Sanjju Samson will be India’s preferred wicketkeeper-batsman for the tournament.
“Pant may not be ready yet. The team is more likely to go with Sanju Samson, who has been in the mix consistently,”
– Aakash Chopra
Samson’s recent form and his performances in white-ball formats give him the edge, especially with a packed schedule ahead.
📅 India’s Group Matches – Asia Cup 2025
- September 10 – India vs UAE
- September 14 – India vs Pakistan
- September 19 – India vs Oman
India’s placement in Group A means a tricky path to the knockout rounds, especially with Pakistan as one of the strongest contenders. However, this group stage also offers a great platform to test bench strength and finalize combinations for the T20 World Cup 2026.
🌍 Why This Asia Cup Matters
This isn’t just another tournament—Asia Cup 2025 will be a crucial test of India’s T20 readiness and squad depth ahead of next year’s World Cup. With fierce rivals like Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the mix, and emerging teams like Oman and UAE eager to cause upsets, India cannot afford to take this lightly.
A balanced mix of experience and youth will be key to success. If reports and expert opinions like Chopra’s are anything to go by, Team India might take bold calls, even if that means sidelining some household names.
📝 Final Thoughts
The Asia Cup is more than just a competition—it’s a prelude to global glory. As the countdown begins, all eyes will be on the selectors and team management, waiting to see if they back form over fame.
Will India’s strategy pay off? Will new heroes emerge?
Only time—and the cricket field—will tell.
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