India has participated in the Asia Cup T20 format editions in 2016 and 2022, with a handful of players featuring in both tournaments. As the upcoming edition starts
on September 9, this will be the 3rd edition in the T20 format.
The Asia Cup in T20 format debuted in 2016, marking a shift from the traditional ODI format to prepare teams for global T20 events. As of now, India has played two Asia Cup T20 editions: 2016 and 2022.
Hardik Pandya holds a unique opportunity to become the first India player to have played all Asia Cup tournaments in T20 edition. Apart from Hardik, a few other Indian players represented the country in the previous two editions, but are not in a position to represent this time.
India players who have played both Asia Cup T20 Editions
Rohit Sharma: Captain in the 2022 edition and an experienced opener in 2016, Rohit Sharma has been a critical figure in India's limited-overs setup.
Virat Kohli: A mainstay in the Indian batting lineup and vice-captain at times, Kohli's consistency across formats has been a significant asset.
Ravindra Jadeja: The left-arm spinner and dependable lower-order batsman played key all-round roles in both editions.
Ravichandran Ashwin: A senior off-spinner and useful batsman, adding balance to the bowling attack.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The swing bowler who has been a regular pick to lead the pace attack.
Hardik Pandya: A dynamic all-rounder, known for his impactful batting and useful pace bowling. Notably, Hardik Pandya is on track to become the first Indian cricketer to play in all three Asia Cup T20 editions (2016, 2022 and potentially 2025), underscoring his longevity and value in the format.
MS Dhoni led India to victory in the inaugural 2016 T20 Asia Cup, while Rohit Sharma captained the team in 2022. These two players are the only captains India has had in the T20 Asia Cup so far.
But apart from Pandya, none of the aforementioned players will have a crack at the record. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have retired from T20I cricket, whereas Ravichandran Ashwin has hung his boots across all formats. Although Bhuvneshwar Kumar is still active, he has no chance for selection in the Indian team for this Asia Cup.
