India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has been announced, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the side and Shubman Gill making a comeback as vice-captain. The
team features players like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, making a strong core. However, the selection has also triggered debates, as a few deserving names were overlooked while certain picks raised questions.
The inclusion of some players has been looked at as a safer bet rather than their current form and impact. With several in-form cricketers not making it to the cut, many have questioned the place of a few players.
Here are the three wrong picks in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad:
3. Harshit Rana:
Harshit Rana’s inclusion in the squad has been questioned. While the young Delhi pacer has already made his debut in all formats and was part of India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign in Dubai earlier this year, his selection for the continental tournament has triggered immense debate. With Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh expected to lead India’s pace attack, the team is more likely to rely on spinners in subcontinental conditions.
His T20I debut was impressive, with him picking a three-wicket haul after coming in as a concussion substitute. The pacer's numbers in IPL have been decent, bagging 40 wickets in 34 matches at an economy of 9.51. However, Rana is yet to prove himself at the international level.
2. Shivam Dube:
The tall all-rounder, Shivam Dube, had a stellar 2024, playing every match in India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign and enjoying consistent success with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Known for his six-hitting abilities against spin, Dube has been seen as a reliable middle-order option.
However, his form in 2025 has been underwhelming. While he scored 357 runs in 14 matches for CSK, his strike rate of 132.22 was his lowest in four years. With India expected to rely more on spinners and pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, the balance of the squad makes his selection a debatable one.
1. Sanju Samson:
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson also made it to the Asia Cup 2025 squad. While he is expected to be a backup opener behind the preferred pair of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, his position is not entirely secure. Jitesh Sharma is set to take over the wicketkeeping duties, which means Samson’s role will primarily be on his batting contributions.
Samson had a sensational 2024, scoring three T20I centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa. Yet, his form has fluctuated in recent months, with injuries and struggles against quality pace bowling. This hot-and-cold pattern makes his inclusion debatable, especially with other openers pushing for spots.
