New Delhi : The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to finalise India’s squad for the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, to be held in the UAE from September 9-28. The eight-team tournament will also serve as a key preparation for India’s Men’s T20 World Cup next year in India and Sri Lanka.
The focus is on Shreyas Iyer, Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Riyan Parag, who are likely to be discussed in detail. With Suryakumar Yadav set to lead after recovering from hernia surgery, and Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson retaining their opening spots, selectors face important decisions regarding middle-order balance and reserve roles.
Shreyas has strengthened his case with improved spin-hitting, better handling of short balls, and consistent performances for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. Jitesh is a hot favourite for the reserve keeper-batter slot, offering finishing skills and power-hitting, and was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title win.
Rinku, a designated finisher for both India and Kolkata Knight Riders, faces uncertainty due to a patchy IPL season and the team potentially favouring an all-rounder in slow UAE conditions. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag, whose batting and handy spin previously earned him T20I tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, competes with Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube for an all-rounder slot, though he has yet to make a major impact.
In the spin department, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy are expected to lead, while selectors will pick from Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana to complement fast bowlers Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.
The Asia Cup squad will provide the first clear view of India’s strategy for the upcoming T20 World Cup, balancing experience, youth, and form. Decisions on players like Shreyas, Jitesh, Rinku, and Riyan are likely to dominate discussions until the tournament begins, making the final announcement highly anticipated by fans and cricket analysts alike.
