India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025 Announced: Jitesh-Harshit Set to Debut, Star Match-Winner to Bat at No. 5

The Indian Cricket Team will now be preparing for the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament will begin on 9th September in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) across two venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while the final is scheduled to be played on 28th September.

The Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025 was announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 19th August with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and Suryakumar Yadav addressing the press conference. The media interaction took place at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.

The Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025 will be captained by Suryakumar Yadav, one of the best T20 batsmen in the world. Shubman Gill was appointed as the vice-captain, which was the main highlight of the squad. Consistent performer Shreyas Iyer wasn't picked as the BCCI faced a lot of controversy.

The rest of the team featured the players who were there in the T20 setup after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Jasprit Bumrah, who is also one of the best bowlers in the world, will be leading the attack, which involves some world-class players. Recently, Ajinkya Rahane picked up India's Playing 11 for Asia Cup 2025. In a huge surprise, star wicketkeeper Sanju Samson was dropped.

Ajinkya Rahane Picks India Playing 11 for Asia Cup 2025

India will open their campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 on 10th September against the home team, the United Arab Emirates. The match will be played in Dubai. After that, they will lock horns with Pakistan on 14th September before going to Abu Dhabi to take on Oman on 19th September.

With the Asia Cup 2025 around the corner, Ajinkya Rahane has named his Indian XI for the tournament. What caught the attention of many was that he didn't name Sanju Samson in his team. The keeper-batter has been in red-hot form in the shortest format of the game. However, Ajinkya Rahane India Playing 11 looks strong.

Sanju Samson, who has been opening the innings in the T20I, will have to make way for Shubman Gill at the top as per Ajinkya Rahane. The vice-captain is likely to open the innings with Abhishek Sharma, who is currently the top-ranked batter in the ICC rankings.

Strong Middle Order

At three and four, Rahane backed Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav to bat. The duo have done the bulk of scoring for the team in the format since last year. They will he holding the key for the team in the Asia Cup 2025. All-rounder Hardik Pandya makes it into the XI picked by Ajinkya Rahane for the Asia Cup 2025, while Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh missed out. The two have played a crucial role for the team in T20Is of late. Also, Jitesh Sharma made the cut into the team as a keeper.

According to Rahane, Axar Patel will be another all-rounder for India in the XI and will be handling the spin bowling department. He will be there along with Kuldeep Yadav. While Rahane feels that there will be a choice between Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy, depending on the conditions. Both played a key role in the UAE conditions during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Jasprit Bumrah will be leading the pace attack along with Arshdeep Singh. They have been the best pacers for India in the format, and a lot would be reliant on them in the tournament. The Men in Blue have their bowling attack sorted for this tournament.

Ajinkya Rahane's India Playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025

Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy/Harshit Rana