The anticipation for the announcement of India's cricket squad for the upcoming Asia Cup is building. Scheduled for August 19, the meeting of the selection committee in Mumbai will be pivotal in finalizing the team. Even T20 captain, Suryakumar Yadav, will be part of this crucial decision-making.
Given the competitive spirit of this Asia Cup, the selectors have quite the task ahead. Seven strong candidates vie for the wicketkeeping roles, but only two will prevail. This year's Asia Cup will take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, captivating fans across UAE.
Sanju Samson:
Our first contender is the right-handed batsman, Sanju Samson. His recent performances in T20 Internationals have been commendable, scoring 861 runs with an average of 25.32, including three centuries and two half-centuries over 42 matches. His remarkable centuries against South Africa and Bangladesh last year stand out.
While Sanju has excelled as an opener in T20Is, his middle-order stats—an average of 18.83 with only one half-century—pose a challenge. If Shubman Gill is selected, he is expected to take on the opening role, strengthening the claims of top-ranked ICC T20 batsman Abhishek Sharma, while making it tough for Sanju to secure a spot in the playing XI.
Rishabh Pant:
A formidable contender, Rishabh Pant's recent T20 form has not shone brightly, but his prowess keeps him in the race. His fitness, recovering from an injury from the Manchester Test against England, remains crucial. In IPL 2025, Pant scored only 269 runs in 14 matches, highlighting his challenging stint with seven dismissals below ten runs.
Source: aajtak
KL Rahul:
KL Rahul impressed spectators with a strike rate of 149.72, accumulating 539 runs over 13 IPL matches for Delhi Capitals. His stellar performances during the England tour reaffirm his batting capabilities. However, with numerous top-order options already present, finding a place in the playing XI will be challenging.
Jitesh Sharma:
As a remarkable wicketkeeper candidate, Jitesh Sharma showcased his finishing skills in IPL 2025, scoring 261 runs at a striking 176.35 strike rate for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Jitesh brings value as a prospective finisher for Asia Cup 2025 and even for the future T20 World Cup 2026.
Dhruv Jurel:
Though he has played only four T20I matches for India, Dhruv Jurel is a promising middle-order wicketkeeping option, evidenced by his IPL 2025 performance for Rajasthan Royals. Scoring 333 runs with a strike rate of 156.33 over 14 matches, his stint on the England tour solidifies his potential.
Prabhsimran Singh and Ishan Kishan in the Race
Prabhsimran Singh and Ishan Kishan are also contenders for the wicketkeeping positions. Their top-order batting prowess, however, presents a double-edged sword in their selection prospects. Ishan secured a century in his first IPL match in 2025, but maintaining that streak proved challenging.
Ishan Kishan, representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, scored 354 runs with an average of 35.40 over 14 matches. Meanwhile, Prabhsimran Singh delivered an impressive 549 runs with a strike rate of 160.52 in his 17 innings for Punjab Kings.
