New Delhi: The wait for cricket fans is finally over as Team India announced for Asia Cup 2025. The selection committee, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, revealed the squad on Tuesday with some major surprises. Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain of the Indian T20 side, while young opener Shubman Gill has been chosen as the vice-captain.
Suryakumar Yadav gets the big responsibility
Known as India’s “T20 specialist,” Suryakumar Yadav has been rewarded for his consistent performances in the shortest format. Currently ranked among the world’s top T20 batters, SKY will lead Team India in the Asia Cup. Shubman Gill, who already captains India in the Test format, will now serve as his deputy in this tournament.
Tournament schedule and venue
The Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 in the UAE, with India hosting the prestigious event. Team India’s first match will be played against the host nation UAE on September 10. As the tournament will be in T20 format, teams are expected to put on high-intensity performances.
Team India squad for Asia Cup 2025
The selectors have taken some bold calls, leaving out players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer. Instead, a blend of young talents and experienced stars have been picked to prepare for the future.
India’s squad:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Shubman Gill (Vice-captain)
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Rinku Singh
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Axar Patel
- Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper)
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
Possible India vs Pakistan clashes
The biggest attraction of every Asia Cup has always been the India vs Pakistan clash, and this time, fans may witness up to three encounters between the two arch-rivals.
- First Match: Scheduled for September 14 at Dubai International Stadium.
- Second Match: If both teams qualify for the Super-4 stage, they will meet again on September 21.
- Final Clash: Should both India and Pakistan reach the final, the ultimate showdown will be played on September 28.
Asia Cup 2025 group stage
Here is how the teams have been divided into groups:
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| India | Sri Lanka |
| Pakistan | Bangladesh |
| Oman | Afghanistan |
| UAE | Hong Kong |
India’s group matches:
- September 10: India vs UAE
- September 14: India vs Pakistan
- September 19: India vs Oman
India’s dominance in Asia Cup history
Since its inception in 1984, the Asia Cup has been played 16 times. India remains the most successful team with 8 titles, followed by Sri Lanka with 6 and Pakistan with 2. India’s consistent dominance in both T20 and ODI formats makes them the hot favorites once again in 2025.
Why Asia Cup 2025 is special
- New leadership: Suryakumar Yadav will captain India for the first time in such a big tournament.
- Young blood: The squad has many rising stars, including Rinku Singh, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma.
- India vs Pakistan hype: The possibility of three Indo-Pak encounters has created huge excitement among fans worldwide.
- World Cup preparations: This Asia Cup will also serve as a crucial build-up for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
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Conclusion
Team India announced for Asia Cup 2025, and the squad reflects a perfect balance of experience and youth. With Suryakumar Yadav leading and Shubman Gill as deputy, fans are expecting India to dominate the tournament. The potential three India vs Pakistan clashes have made this Asia Cup one of the most anticipated editions in recent years.
Cricket enthusiasts are now eagerly waiting to see whether India can lift the trophy once again and extend their record of most Asia Cup wins.