The Asia Cup 2025 promises to be a blockbuster event for cricket fans, featuring the top teams from the continent battling for glory in the T20I format. India, the defending champions, enter the tournament with high expectations and a mix of seasoned stars and talented newcomers. Hosted across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the tournament spans from September 9 to 28, bringing together eight teams divided into two groups.
India’s Schedule for Asia Cup 2025
India has been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Here is a detailed look at India’s fixtures:
- September 10: India vs UAE, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 7:30 PM IST
- September 14: India vs Pakistan, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 7:30 PM IST
- September 19: India vs Oman, Abu Dhabi, 7:30 PM IST
Should India qualify, they are positioned to play up to three Super Four matches and potentially the final on September 28 at Dubai. The tournament structure allows for multiple potential encounters between India and Pakistan, including the much-anticipated final.
India’s Probable Squad for Asia Cup 2025
While the BCCI is yet to officially announce the final squad, informed predictions based on current performances, fitness updates, and selectors’ preferences provide insight into what India’s Asia Cup team might look like:
- Captain: Suryakumar Yadav (pending full fitness after sports hernia surgery)
- Vice-Captain: Shubman Gill
- Batsmen: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer, Sai Sudharsan, Rinku Singh
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
- Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Dhruv Jurel (in contention due to ongoing injuries in the squad)
- Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
- Pacers: Arshdeep Singh, Mohd. Siraj, Harshit Rana (possible), Nitish Reddy
India’s top order looks stable, with Gill and Abhishek Sharma expected to open and Jaiswal likely favored for the aggressive T20 intent. Suryakumar Yadav, if fit, provides leadership and explosive middle-order performance, supported by hard-hitters like Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh.
Injury Updates and Player Replacements
Suryakumar Yadav
The most pressing fitness concern revolves around Suryakumar Yadav, who is recovering from sports hernia surgery. His fitness status is being monitored, and if he is unable to recover in time, Shubman Gill is being considered as a potential stand-in captain. India’s middle order relies heavily on Yadav’s availability, and selectors may introduce Shreyas Iyer to steady the lineup should Yadav miss the tournament.
Jasprit Bumrah
The pace spearhead Bumrah faces uncertainty regarding participation due to lingering injury issues. Given his workload and the selectors’ cautious approach, there is a strong possibility that Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace attack, with Mohd. Siraj playing a supporting role. Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy present as emerging backup options should further injuries strike.
Rishabh Pant
After suffering a foot fracture during the England tour, Pant’s participation remains doubtful. India’s wicketkeeper slot becomes a battleground, with Sanju Samson’s recent T20I centuries and explosive South African performances making him the frontrunner, though Jitesh Sharma’s finishing abilities and Dhruv Jurel’s flexibility off the bench are also being strongly evaluated.
Selection Dilemmas and Squad Depth
The strength of India’s potential squad lies in its dynamic mix of experience and youth, but fierce competition exists for batting positions. Top order choices, such as Gill, Jaiswal, and Abhishek Sharma, mean limited opportunities for batsmen like Sanju Samson or KL Rahul, who have shone in domestic and IPL cricket but need the right batting positions to secure a place.
India’s all-round and bowling options reflect depth and versatility, with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar likely to feature heavily in the UAE conditions. Spinner selections will hinge on recent form, leaving space for both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.
Conclusion
India’s journey in the Asia Cup 2025 will be defined by their ability to manage injuries, respond to selection challenges, and balance youth with experience. Strong performances in the IPL and international series have given selectors a healthy pool to choose from, but final decisions will rest on fitness and form right up to the start of the tournament. As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await a competitive squad announcement and thrilling cricket action on the field.