The selection of India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 has stirred debate, particularly regarding Shubman Gill's potential inclusion in the playing XI. Former India opener and ex-chief selector Kris Srikkanth has voiced his concerns, questioning the need to suddenly include Gill in the T20I setup.
Srikkanth highlighted that Gill was not part of the previous T20 World Cup squad and did not feature in the five-match home series against England earlier in the year. He argued that if Gill were the T20I captain, his inclusion in the playing XI would be automatic. However, given that he wasn't part of the T20 World Cup, Srikkanth questioned where he fits in suddenly.
Despite Gill's impressive performance in the recent Test series against England, where he amassed 754 runs in five games at an average of 75.40, including four centuries, Srikkanth remains unconvinced about his place in the T20I side. Gill was named Test captain for the tour of England following Rohit Sharma's retirement from red-ball cricket.
Several reports suggest that Gill is likely to make a comeback to the T20I team following his batting exploits in the Test series. However, this has led to questions about whether his approach fits the new T20I template. While Gill scored 650 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 155, his T20I strike rate stands at 139, dipping to 129.25 in his last seven innings.
Srikkanth has surprisingly advocated for the inclusion of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the Asia Cup T20 squad. Suryavanshi's impressive IPL 2025 performance and U19 tour of England have made him a strong contender. Srikkanth emphasizes Suryavanshi's maturity and shot-making ability, urging selectors to consider him for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He believes Suryavanshi is already showing remarkable maturity and that his shot-making is on another level.
Other former cricketers have also weighed in on the debate. Aakash Chopra highlighted the intense competition for spots in India's Asia Cup 2025 team, given their abundant talent and recent T20 success. Harbhajan Singh, on the other hand, wants Shubman Gill to be selected in the final 15-man squad for the Asia Cup, calling him an 'all-format player' who should not be underestimated. Harbhajan believes that Gill can play T20s and even dominate the format, emphasizing the need for batters who can play long innings and rescue the team when required.
The selectors face a tough balancing act between youth and experience. Rising stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and Jitesh Sharma are pushing for inclusion, while Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shubman Gill remain the backbone of the squad.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup squad rests with the selectors. They will need to consider his recent form, his suitability to the T20I format, and the overall balance of the team. The announcement of the squad is expected soon, and it will be interesting to see whether Gill makes the cut.
