Asia Cup 2025 is just around the corner. India finally named their squad, with a fresh leadership group and a mix of experience and young players. With all that, expectations are indeed high. Defending the title is one thing, but building for the T20 World Cup is another.
Asia Cup 2025 is just around the corner. India finally named their squad, with a fresh leadership group and a mix of experience and young players. With all that, expectations are indeed high. Defending the title is one thing, but building for the T20 World Cup is another.
So, who will likely carry the team to the championship? Let’s break it down player by player.
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
Suryakumar’s voice carries in the dressing room and beyond. He has led the T20 side since Rohit Sharma’s retirement, and his numbers speak volumes—over 2,500 T20I runs at an average above 38, and four centuries to his name. He’s the kind of batter who can change a game in a few overs. Ahead of the Asia Cup, he talked about the mood in the squad, saying there’s “positive energy” and that every player knows what’s expected of them.
Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
Gill brings reliability and control to the top order. He’s back in the T20 fold and now vice-captain, riding a wave of form across formats. His technique and calm make him a great foil to Suryakumar’s aggression. At recent practice sessions, there was talk that he could replace Sanju Samson in the playing XI. That competition keeps the squad sharp.
Jasprit Bumrah
India’s death-over specialist is back and healthy. UAE conditions, where the ball can skid, suit his accuracy and ability to hit yorkers. He’s still the go-to guy to shut down runs when it matters most. Reports say India’s management considered his fitness closely before picking him, which underlines his value to the side.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik offers all-around value, swing with pace, and pops in big hits when required. He was a key figure in India’s Champions Trophy win, and as the team unveiled the new jersey, his words carried weight: “It’s prestige and honour, we fight for,” he said. That sums up his role as a culture builder and match-changer.
Arshdeep Sing
This kid is on fire. He was India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup, became ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, and has continued his run in 2025. He’s got pace, control, and nerves of steel. If there’s a risky chase, he’s the one India will look to calm things down.
Abhishek Sharma / Tilak Varma
Dynamic left-handers and aggressive stroke-makers. Both can take attacks apart in the power play. That kind of flair is hard to plan for but impossible to ignore in pressure moments.
Kuldeep Yadav / Varun Chakravarthy
India leaned on wrist-spin in the Champions Trophy, so it’s no surprise two specialists are back. In the UAE, fingers spin. Expect Kuldeep’s guile and Chakravarthy’s mystery to be a major balance in India’s attack.
The Snub Watch: Shreyas Iyer
Iyer’s omission is still a talking point. He broke the silence recently, calling it “frustrating” when you feel you deserve a spot, especially after standout IPL and Champions Trophy seasons. He said, “When the team is winning, everyone is happy,” and spoke about keeping integrity even without watching eyes. That reaction says as much about him as any performance could.
India’s Chances: Can They Win the Asia Cup 2025?
India are defending champions, aiming for an Asia Cup hat-trick. That mix of SKY, Gill, Bumrah, hard hitters, and spinners gives them both stability and weaponry. Add to that the emotional edge of a fresh jersey and the statement “it’s prestige and honour, we fight for,” you can’t brush off their chances.
But there are whispers, too. Former Pakistan player Bazid Khan pointed to SKY’s limited effectiveness against Pakistan in past matches. So the India-Pakistan clash will need SKY to play at his high-IQ best.
Coverage around the squad has been everywhere, and it is the kind of hype that sees fans scroll across news sites or even visit 10CRIC while tracking team updates. That level of buzz says a lot about expectations heading into this tournament.
Well, on paper, things are looking balanced for this confident squad.
Conclusion
India’s Asia Cup squad looks ready. Captain SKY brings flair and leadership. Gill gives stability. Bumrah controls the death overs. Hardik pushes the energy. Arshdeep keeps things tight with the ball. Add in left-handed firepower and wrist-spin, and it’s a well-rounded unit.
Sure, Iyer’s snub will haunt headlines, but this still feels like a team built to win and set momentum. Fans watching those Pakistan and Bangladesh games should mark their calendars. Also, one thing’s clear: if drama counts, India’s in the match from Day 1.
So don’t miss out on the action and watch the matches on Sony Sports or stream them live on the SonyLIV app in India.