Team India T20 Squad Overhaul:
The Indian cricket team is set to display its prowess in the Asia Cup 2025. With the T20 format in play, the Asia Cup starts on September 9, and India's squad was announced on August 19.
Players like Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been left out of the United Arab Emirates-hosted tournament. Ravi Bishnoi and Mohammed Shami, who were a part of the series against England from January 22 to February 2, 2025, are also missing from the Asia Cup squad.
Read more: Will Sanju Samson's omission from the playing XI at the Asia Cup boost Gill's prospects as an opener?
Earlier this year, India played England in a T20 series, securing victory with a 4-1 record, but the team has undergone several major changes ahead of the Asia Cup.
Interestingly, at the August 19 press conference, there was no discussion about Shami and Bishnoi. During the England series, Shami took 3 wickets in 2 matches, and Bishnoi secured 5 wickets in 5 matches.
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized that this is not the final T20 World Cup team; the current squad is being tested. Meanwhile, a day after the announcement, Mohammed Shami was seen bowling leg-spin, sharing a video on social media.
Read more: India Squad Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill to be the all-format captain?
Compared to the England series, the most notable change in the newly announced team is the absence of Shami and Bishnoi. Shami was also not included during India's recent tour of England.
Shami was last seen in the ODI Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on March 9, 2025, while Ravi Bishnoi and Shami played a T20 International against England on February 2, 2025.
Read more: Team India Asia Cup 2025: A Great Opportunity for Rinku Singh?
India’s Squad for the Asia Cup:
Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
Standby Players for the Asia Cup:
Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal
India's Playing XI against England on February 2 in Mumbai:
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy
India's Squad for the T20 Series against England:
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (Vice-captain), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
