Asia Cup 2025 India Squad: A Comprehensive Analysis in 2025

Asia Cup 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting cricket tournaments of the year, bringing together Asia’s top teams in a thrilling T20 International (T20I) format. Scheduled from September 9 to 28, 2025, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this 17th edition of the Asia Cup will feature eight teams competing across 19 matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For India, the defending champions, this tournament is a golden opportunity to retain their title and test their T20I squad ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet announced the official squad, recent performances and expert predictions give us a clear picture of the probable lineup.

This blog provides a comprehensive guide to the probable India squad for the Asia Cup 2025, diving deep into each player’s journey from childhood to international stardom. We’ll cover their early lives, cricketing careers, key achievements, statistics, and expected roles in the team. Additionally, we’ll include the full tournament schedule, details on qualified teams, the format, and where fans can watch the matches live.

Asia Cup 2025 Tournament Overview 

 Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the UAE, with matches split between the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Originally set to be hosted by India, the tournament was moved to a neutral venue due to geopolitical tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, as confirmed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on July 26, 2025. The T20I format ensures fast-paced, action-packed cricket, making it a perfect warm-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The eight participating teams are divided into two groups:

• Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman

• Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong

Each team will play three matches in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super Four stage. The Super Four teams will compete in a round-robin format, and the top two will face off in the final on September 28 in Dubai. India, with eight Asia Cup titles, is the most successful team in the tournament’s history and will aim to continue their dominance.

Asia Cup 2025 Schedule 

Below is the complete schedule for the Asia Cup 2025, including India’s matches and other key fixtures:

Date	Day	Match No. & Group	Teams Playing	Time (GMT / IST)	Venue
Sep 09	Tue	1st Match, Group B	Afghanistan vs Hong Kong	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 10	Wed	2nd Match, Group A	India vs United Arab Emirates	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 11	Thu	3rd Match, Group B	Bangladesh vs Hong Kong	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 12	Fri	4th Match, Group A	Pakistan vs Oman	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 13	Sat	5th Match, Group B	Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 14	Sun	6th Match, Group A	India vs Pakistan	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 15	Mon	7th Match, Group A	UAE vs Oman	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 15	Mon	8th Match, Group B	Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 16	Tue	9th Match, Group B	Bangladesh vs Afghanistan	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 17	Wed	10th Match, Group A	Pakistan vs UAE	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 18	Thu	11th Match, Group B	Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 19	Fri	12th Match, Group A	India vs Oman	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 20	Sat	Super Four, Match 1 (B1 v B2)	TBC vs TBC	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 21	Sun	Super Four, Match 2 (A1 v A2)	TBC vs TBC	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 23	Tue	Super Four, Match 3 (A2 v B1)	TBC vs TBC	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 24	Wed	Super Four, Match 4 (A1 v B2)	TBC vs TBC	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 25	Thu	Super Four, Match 5 (A2 v B2)	TBC vs TBC	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sep 26	Fri	Super Four, Match 6 (A1 v B1)	TBC vs TBC	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sep 28	Sun	Final	TBC vs TBC	02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST	Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

India’s group-stage matches are particularly exciting, with the India vs Pakistan clash on September 14 in Dubai being the highlight. If both teams advance, they could meet again in the Super Four on September 21 and potentially in the final.

Asia Cup 2025 Qualified Teams

The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams, a first for the tournament. The qualified teams are:

Team	Qualification Method
India	Full Member of the Asian Cricket Council
Pakistan	Full Member of the Asian Cricket Council
Sri Lanka	Full Member of the Asian Cricket Council
Bangladesh	Full Member of the Asian Cricket Council
Afghanistan	Full Member of the Asian Cricket Council
United Arab Emirates	Top 3 in 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup
Oman	Top 3 in 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup
Hong Kong	Top 3 in 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup

The inclusion of associate nations like UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong adds unpredictability and excitement to the tournament.

Asia Cup 2025 Tournament Format

 Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20I format, as confirmed by the ACC. The council alternates between ODI and T20 formats, and with the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, this edition will serve as a crucial preparation platform. The T20I format ensures short, high-energy matches that appeal to fans worldwide.

Asia Cup 2025 India vs Pakistan

 India vs Pakistan match on September 14 is one of the most anticipated fixtures. However, there was uncertainty about this clash due to political tensions following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on May 7, 2025, which killed 26 civilians. The BCCI initially declared it would not play Pakistan in future events, raising doubts about India’s participation. However, recent reports indicate that the BCCI has agreed to participate in the tournament, increasing the likelihood of this blockbuster match. Fans can expect an intense battle, with potential rematches in the Super Four and final if both teams progress.

Asia Cup 2025 Last Five Asia Cup Winners 

ndia has a rich history in the Asia Cup, winning eight titles. Here’s a look at the last five winners:

Year	Format	Final Match (Venue)	Winner	Runner-up	Captain (Winner)
2023	ODI	India 51/0 (6.1 ov) vs Sri Lanka 50 (15.2 ov), Colombo	India	Sri Lanka	Rohit Sharma
2022	T20I	Sri Lanka 170/6 (20 ov) vs Pakistan 147 (20 ov), Dubai	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	Dasun Shanaka
2018	ODI	India 223/7 (50 ov) vs Bangladesh 222 (48.3 ov), Dubai	India	Bangladesh	Rohit Sharma
2016	T20I	India 122/2 (13.5 ov) vs Bangladesh 120/5 (15 ov), Mirpur	India	Bangladesh	MS Dhoni
2014	ODI	Sri Lanka 261/5 (46.2 ov) vs Pakistan 260/5 (50 ov), Mirpur	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	Angelo Mathews

India’s dominance is evident, with three wins in the last five editions.

Asia Cup 2025 

 

The BCCI is expected to announce the official squad in mid-August 2025. Based on recent performances, particularly in the IPL 2025, and expert predictions from sources like Crictrends, myKhel, and Hindustan Times, here is a probable 17-member squad:

Player	Role	Key Strength
Suryakumar Yadav	Captain, Batsman	Aggressive 360-degree batting
Hardik Pandya	Vice-Captain, All-Rounder	Power-hitting, fast bowling
Shubman Gill	Batsman	Elegant strokeplay, consistency
Yashasvi Jaiswal	Batsman	Aggressive opening batting
Sai Sudharsan	Batsman	Consistent middle-order batting
Shreyas Iyer	Batsman	Anchoring innings, big-match player
Sanju Samson	Wicketkeeper-Batsman	Explosive batting, reliable keeping
KL Rahul	Wicketkeeper-Batsman	Versatile batting, experience
Tilak Varma	Batsman	Aggressive batting, part-time spin
Rinku Singh	Batsman	Finishing skills
Axar Patel	All-Rounder	Left-arm spin, lower-order batting
Washington Sundar	All-Rounder	Off-spin, versatile batting
Ravindra Jadeja	All-Rounder (if fit)	Left-arm spin, all-round ability
Arshdeep Singh	Bowler	Left-arm pace, death-over specialist
Mohammed Siraj	Bowler	Swing bowling, aggression
Kuldeep Yadav	Bowler	Chinaman spin, deceptive variations
Yuzvendra Chahal	Bowler	Leg-spin, wicket-taking ability

Player Profiles

. Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)

• Early Life: Born on September 14, 1990, in Mumbai, Suryakumar Yadav grew up in a middle-class family. His father, a banker, and mother, a homemaker, supported his passion for cricket. As a child, he played street cricket, idolizing Sachin Tendulkar.

• Cricket Journey: Suryakumar debuted for Mumbai in 2010 and joined Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in 2011. His breakthrough came with Mumbai Indians, where he won multiple titles. He made his T20I debut in March 2021 against England, scoring his first run off a single.

• Key Achievements: Fastest T20I century by an Indian (117 off 55 balls vs England, 2022), ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2022, 2023).

• Statistics: In 60 T20Is, he has scored 2,141 runs at an average of 45.55 and a strike rate of 171.55, with three centuries and 17 fifties.

• Role: As captain, Suryakumar will lead with his aggressive batting, likely at number 3 or 4, and make strategic decisions on the field.

. Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain)

• Early Life: Born on October 11, 1993, in Choryasi, Gujarat, Hardik’s father, Himanshu, was a fast bowler, and his brother, Krunal, is a cricketer. He trained at Kiran More’s academy in Vadodara.

• Cricket Journey: Hardik debuted for Baroda in 2013 and joined Mumbai Indians in 2015, winning four IPL titles. His international debut was in January 2016 against Australia.

• Key Achievements: Captained Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2022 title, part of India’s 2016 T20 World Cup-winning team.

• Statistics: In 78 T20Is, he has scored 1,476 runs at an average of 29.52 and taken 55 wickets.

• Role: Hardik’s all-round skills will provide balance, bowling in the powerplay and death overs while batting in the middle order.

. Shubman Gill

• Early Life: Born on September 8, 1999, in Fazilka, Punjab, Shubman’s father, Lakhwinder, was a first-class cricketer. The family moved to Mohali for better training facilities.

• Cricket Journey: Gill debuted for Punjab in 2017 and was Player of the Tournament in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. His ODI debut was in January 2019 against New Zealand, scoring his first run off a single.

• Key Achievements: Youngest Indian to score an ODI double century (208 vs New Zealand, 2023).

• Statistics: In 21 T20Is, he has scored 564 runs at an average of 30.77 and a strike rate of 144.35.

• Role: As an opener, Gill will anchor innings and set a platform for the middle order.

. Yashasvi Jaiswal

• Early Life: Born on December 28, 2001, in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, Yashasvi moved to Mumbai at age 10, living in tents and selling street food while training at Azad Maidan.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Mumbai in 2019 and shone in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup. His IPL performances with Rajasthan Royals earned him a Test debut in July 2023 against West Indies, scoring 171.

• Key Achievements: Fastest fifty in IPL history (13 balls, 2023).

• Statistics: In 8 T20Is, he has scored 184 runs at an average of 26.28 and a strike rate of 145.96.

• Role: As an opener, Jaiswal’s aggressive batting will put pressure on bowlers early.

. Sai Sudharsan

• Early Life: Born on October 15, 2001, in Chennai, Sai’s father was an athlete, and his mother a volleyball player. He started cricket at a young age in Chennai.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Tamil Nadu in 2019 and won the IPL Orange Cap in 2025 with Gujarat Titans, scoring 759 runs. His ODI debut was in December 2024 against South Africa, scoring 55 not out.

• Key Achievements: Orange Cap winner in IPL 2025.

• Statistics: In domestic T20s, he has over 1,000 runs; in IPL 2025, he scored 759 runs at a strike rate of 156.25.

• Role: Middle-order batsman providing stability and acceleration.

. Shreyas Iyer

• Early Life: Born on December 6, 1994, in Chembur, Mumbai, Shreyas’s father was a first-class cricketer. He trained at Shivaji Park Gymkhana.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Mumbai in 2014 and led them to Ranji Trophy titles. His IPL success with Kolkata Knight Riders led to his T20I debut in November 2017 against New Zealand.

• Key Achievements: Led KKR to the IPL final in 2024.

• Statistics: In 43 T20Is, he has scored 977 runs at an average of 29.90 and a strike rate of 138.75.

• Role: Middle-order batsman anchoring and finishing innings.

. Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)

• Early Life: Born on November 11, 1994, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Sanju’s father was a footballer. He started cricket at age 4.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Kerala in 2011 and for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2013, becoming captain in 2021. His T20I debut was in July 2015 against Zimbabwe.

• Key Achievements: Three T20I centuries, a record for an Indian wicketkeeper.

• Statistics: In 25 T20Is, he has scored 374 runs at an average of 19.68 and a strike rate of 133.57.

• Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman providing explosive middle-order batting.

. KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)

• Early Life: Born on April 18, 1992, in Bangalore, Karnataka, KL’s father is a professor. He started cricket at age 7.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Karnataka in 2010 and for India in 2014. He has played for multiple IPL teams, including Punjab Kings.

• Key Achievements: Century on ODI debut (2016).

• Statistics: In 50 T20Is, he has scored 1,290 runs at an average of 32.25 and a strike rate of 138.15.

• Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman offering versatility and experience.

. Tilak Varma

• Early Life: Born on November 8, 2002, in Hyderabad, Telangana, Tilak’s father was a cricketer. He started cricket at age 10.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Hyderabad in 2018 and for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022. His T20I debut was in August 2023 against West Indies.

• Key Achievements: Part of India’s 2023 Asian Games gold medal-winning team.

• Statistics: In 10 T20Is, he has scored 274 runs at an average of 39.14 and a strike rate of 138.70.

• Role: Middle-order batsman and part-time spinner.

. Rinku Singh

• Early Life: Born on October 12, 1997, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rinku’s father was an LPG delivery man. He faced financial hardships growing up.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Uttar Pradesh in 2016 and for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2018. His T20I debut was in August 2023 against Ireland.

• Key Achievements: Hit five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023.

• Statistics: In 11 T20Is, he has scored 356 runs at an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 176.23.

• Role: Finisher in the lower order.

. Axar Patel

• Early Life: Born on January 20, 1994, in Anand, Gujarat, Axar’s father was a farmer. He started cricket at age 12.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Gujarat in 2013 and for India in 2014. He plays for Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

• Key Achievements: Part of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team.

• Statistics: In 54 T20Is, he has taken 54 wickets and scored 498 runs.

• Role: All-rounder providing spin bowling and lower-order batting.

. Washington Sundar

• Early Life: Born on October 5, 1999, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Washington’s father was a cricketer. He started cricket at age 5.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Tamil Nadu in 2016 and for India in 2017. He plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

• Key Achievements: Part of India’s 2023 Asia Cup-winning team.

• Statistics: In 52 T20Is, he has taken 40 wickets and scored 442 runs.

• Role: All-rounder offering off-spin and middle-order batting.

. Ravindra Jadeja (if fit)

• Early Life: Born on December 6, 1988, in Jamnagar, Gujarat, Ravindra’s father was a cricketer. He started cricket at age 8.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Saurashtra in 2006 and for India in 2009. He plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

• Key Achievements: Over 250 international wickets and 5,000 runs.

• Statistics: In 74 T20Is, he has taken 54 wickets and scored 515 runs.

• Role: All-rounder providing left-arm spin and lower-order batting.

. Arshdeep Singh

• Early Life: Born on February 5, 1999, in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, Arshdeep moved to Mohali at age 14. His father is a CISF officer.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Punjab in 2018 and for India in 2022. He plays for Punjab Kings in the IPL.

• Key Achievements: Joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

• Statistics: In 34 T20Is, he has taken 52 wickets.

• Role: Left-arm pacer effective in all phases.

Mohammed Siraj

• Early Life: Born on March 13, 1994, in Hyderabad, Siraj’s father was an auto-rickshaw driver. He faced financial hardships.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Hyderabad in 2015 and for India in 2017. He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

• Key Achievements: Part of India’s 2021 T20 World Cup team.

• Statistics: In 41 T20Is, 53 wickets.

• Role: Pace bowler, providing swing and aggression.

. Kuldeep Yadav

• Early Life: Born on December 14, 1994, in Kanpur, Kuldeep initially wanted to be a fast bowler but switched to wrist-spin.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Uttar Pradesh in 2014 and for India in 2017. He plays for Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

• Key Achievements: Part of India’s 2019 ODI World Cup squad.

• Statistics: In 41 T20Is, 59 wickets.

• Role: Chinaman spinner with deceptive variations.

. Yuzvendra Chahal

• Early Life: Born on July 23, 1990, in Jind, Haryana, Chahal started as a fast bowler before becoming a leg-spinner.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Haryana in 2010 and for India in 2016. He plays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

• Key Achievements: Highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is.

• Statistics: In 80 T20Is, 96 wickets.

• Role: Leg-spinner, known for wicket-taking ability.

. Jasprit Bumrah

• Early Life: Born on December 6, 1993, in Ahmedabad, Bumrah developed his unique bowling action playing street cricket.

• Cricket Journey: Debuted for Gujarat in 2013 and for India in 2016. He plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

• Key Achievements: Part of India’s 2019 ODI World Cup squad.

• Statistics: In 68 T20Is, 79 wickets.

• Role: Pace spearhead, though his participation is uncertain due to workload management source: NDTV Sports.

Conclusion

The Asia Cup 2025 will bring thrilling cricket to fans, with a packed schedule, a mix of top teams, and the potential for an India-Pakistan showdown. Hosted in the UAE, this T20I tournament will be a key preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Stay tuned for more updates as the event draws closer!