Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj Likely to Miss Asia Cup 2025
The build-up to the Asia Cup 2025 has taken an unexpected twist as reports suggest that Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj are likely to miss the tournament. According to Cricbuzz, the Indian cricket board selectors will meet on August 19 to finalize the squad, and both names could be excluded in what appears to be a strategy to maintain balance within the team.
For Shubman Gill, the potential omission comes despite his remarkable form in the recently concluded five-match Test series against England, where he emerged as one of India’s most dependable batters. However, the selectors are reportedly keen on sticking with the current T20 opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who have built strong chemistry at the top. With room for a third opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal appears to be the preferred choice, further reducing Gill’s chances of making the cut.
The batting lineup is shaping up with several names under consideration, including Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar, each of whom has shown promise in recent domestic and international outings. Jitesh Sharma is also reportedly being eyed as the backup wicketkeeper, adding more competition for spots in the middle order.
For Mohammed Siraj, uncertainty looms as India prepares its pace attack. His exclusion appears linked to the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who has confirmed his availability for the continental tournament. With Arshdeep Singh expected to feature prominently, the selectors are also weighing the inclusion of Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, or both to provide balance in the bowling department. In this scenario, Siraj may struggle to find a place in the squad. Reports further suggest that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to return as an additional pace option, strengthening India’s lineup.
Interestingly, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is not being considered either, despite his T20I return earlier this year against England. This decision reflects the board’s intent to back younger pacers and focus on building a dynamic squad for the Asia Cup and beyond.
If these exclusions are confirmed, India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 will carry a fresh look, blending emerging talents with experienced campaigners. While the potential absence of Gill and Siraj may surprise many fans, it underlines the intense competition for places in Indian cricket, where even proven performers face the challenge of adapting to evolving team strategies.
As anticipation builds ahead of the selectors’ meeting, cricket fans across the subcontinent will be watching closely to see how the final squad shapes up, especially with Pakistan and Sri Lanka already announcing strong lineups for the tournament.
