The Asia Cup 2025, the 17th edition of the tournament, is scheduled to take place in September 2025 in the UAE.
India are placed alongside Pakistan, UAE
and Oman and will be entering their first major multinational T20I tournament since winning the T20 World Cup 2024.
The tournament will be played in a T20 format, with teams split into two groups, followed by a Super 4 stage and a final on September 28. India enters the tournament as defending champions and will face tough competition, including a highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match on September 14. The Asia Cup is a major test for India's T20 supremacy in the region.
Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead the side in the Asia Cup 2024 given he recovers from his latest surgery in time. A number of new faces are expected to be included for the Asia Cup, and a chunk of them can be picked from the victorious Royal Challengers Bengaluru side.
RCB are the reigning IPL champions of 2025, and their success reflects the strength of their squad. From the RCB team, four players stand out as strong candidates for the India squad in Asia Cup 2025.
Rajat Patidar: RCB's captain and a consistent top-order batsman known for clutch performances and leadership, having led RCB to their maiden IPL title this year. He also has international experience in ODIs and could provide stability and aggression at the top of India's batting line-up.
Jitesh Sharma: A reliable wicketkeeper-batsman who can anchor or accelerate the innings as needed. His dual skills as a keeper and batter add flexibility to the squad. Sharma is likely to be named in the India squad as well.
Krunal Pandya: An experienced Indian all-rounder who brings left-arm spin and lower-order hitting. His all-round skills suit the varied conditions of the Asia Cup. But it will be a direct fight between Pandya and someone like Washington Sundar for the spot.
Yash Dayal: A promising left-arm fast bowler with the ability to swing the ball and bowl effective variations, making him a valuable pace option in India's bowling arsenal. Although he had a stellar IPL 2025, Dayal's selection may be hindered due to his recent off-field controversies.
