The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has unveiled the complete schedule for the Asia Cup 2025, which will run from September 9 to 28 in the UAE. The highly
anticipated India-Pakistan clash is locked in for September 14 in Dubai, the same venue that will host the final.
With the tournament edging closer, the Indian selectors are set to finalize the squad in the third week of August - and four Mumbai Indians (MI) stars are firmly in the mix. Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma are among the frontrunners from MI to make the cut for the T20-format competition.
Suryakumar Yadav - Captaincy Call Pending on Fitness
India's designated T20I skipper is racing against time to regain full fitness after undergoing sports hernia surgery. He has resumed training at the National Cricket Academy, but his participation is not guaranteed as of yet. If declared fit, SKY's explosive batting and leadership will be vital for India's campaign. Nevertheless, he is expected to get fit in time.
Hardik Pandya - Potential Stand-in Skipper
If Suryakumar is unavailable, Hardik Pandya is expected to take the reins. Earlier reports even hinted he could serve as vice-captain for the event. However, RevSportz claims that role may instead go to Shubman Gill, India's Test captain. Hardik's all-round skills and finishing ability, not only make him a match-winner in T20 cricket, but also an ideal leader.
Jasprit Bumrah - Likely to Miss Out
India's pace spearhead is expected to be rested for workload management after a grueling IND-ENG Test series. In the coming days, the Men in Blue have a packed schedule ahead. His absence would be a significant blow, considering his death-bowling expertise. Without Bumrah, India will need fresh pace options to handle high-pressure games, especially against Pakistan.
Tilak Varma - Young Middle-Order Option
The 22-year-old southpaw has been part of the national T20 setup for a while now for his composure under pressure and clean striking against both pace and spin. His inclusion would add flexibility to the batting lineup, especially in the middle overs where India often needs acceleration.
With India grouped alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, the tournament could feature multiple Indo-Pak encounters. For MI supporters, the Asia Cup might become a stage to watch their stars shine - provided fitness and selection decisions go their way.
