No Gill or Bumrah? Probable India 15-Man Squad for Asia Cup 2025

India are the reigning Asia Cup champions and will be keen to defend their crown in 2025. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host the most successful side in this competition and other teams from September 9 to 28, 2025.

India has a rich collection of talents in every department and may aim to give some Test players much-needed rest ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle games. The retirement of veteran players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from 2 out of 3 international formats paves the way for other cricketers to shine in this regional competition.

Let’s see the players India may field during the 3-week showpiece as they target silverware on multiple fronts in this cycle.

Full Analysis on Probable 15-Member India Squad for Asia Cup 2025

SKY set to captain India’s squad at Asia Cup 2025

Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) remains India’s T20I captain and will likely lead the side during Asia Cup 2025.

Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open for India

India will set their opening firepower on opposition teams with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma. Both cricketers have shown their top order prowess in recent limited-overs tournaments and will likely reprise their opening roles for India at Asia Cup 2025.

Yadav and Varma to mount middle-order

SKY will pair with Tilak Varma to continue batting for India in the middle order.

Rinku Singh to likely finish for Men in Blue

Singh can deliver late batting power for India if the squad needs capable hands to shut out opposition attempts at wickets deep into games.

Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube may deliver versatile play at Asia Cup

India may stick to Hardik Pandya for his seam bowling skills and finishing abilities with the bat. The squad may also rely on Shivam Dube’s versatile skillset to help India mount their title defence against opposing teams.

Chakravarthy, Kuldeep, and Patel to spin department

Axar Patel looks like India’s best bet to feature in the spin bowling department alongside specialist spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.

Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana to deliver pace support, Bumrah’s inclusion unlikely

Jasprit Bumrah may not be a part of India’s contingent to the UAE after his stop-start participation against England during the recent Test series. Selectors may jettison workload management for Bumrah and turn to Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh for bowling support.

Sanju Samson or Jitesh Sharma to feature as wicketkeepers

Rishabh Pant may have to wait for much longer before engaging in wicketkeeping duties for India across formats. His toe fracture proved quite serious after he managed to press on against England during the concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (ATT) 2025.

Sanju Samson did not play any part in India’s 2 – 2 draw against England during the series and will be fresh to take on wicketkeeping duties for the Men in Blue. The selectors may also go with Jitesh Sharma to offer vital support during the competition.

Predicted India 15-Man Squad for Asia Cup 2025

Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya

Jasprit Bumrah, Jitesh Sharma (w-k), Kuldeep Yadav, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (w-k)

Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Varun Chakravarthy, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Predicted India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma,

Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson (w-k), Axar Patel,

Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy

Full Asia Cup 2025 Schedule