With the Asia Cup 2025 just around the corner, all eyes are on the Indian selectors as they prepare to announce the squad.
The tournament will be played in the T20 format, and naturally, the debate over who makes the cut has already started.
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Ahead of the official announcement, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif revealed his version of the team. He backed Shubman Gill to return, but surprisingly left out Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Why did Mohammad Kaif prefer Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal?
Kaif explained that there is space for only one backup opener in the Asia Cup squad, and the choice was between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. According to him, Gill’s recent form made it impossible to ignore.
He pointed out Gill’s excellent run in the Test series against England, where he piled up 754 runs and played a key role in India drawing the series 2-2.
Kaif added that Gill also carried a good touch in the IPL and therefore deserved to be included.
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“Only one between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal can make the team. The way in which Shubman Gill approached the England series, he made it 2-2. He scored 754 runs. He also scored runs in the IPL, so I feel he should be there in the squad,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Who are the other players Mohammad Kaif backed in his squad?
While Jaiswal and Rinku Singh missed out, Kaif showed strong support for Mohammed Siraj. He talked about Siraj’s superb performances in England, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets.
For Kaif, this was enough to justify Siraj’s inclusion as a frontline pacer alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
“Gill might not make it to the playing XI, but he should be there in the squad. He should be there as the backup opener. Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill should be rewarded for their performances in the England Test series,” he added.
READ: Asia Cup 2025: Format, teams and groups explained
Kaif also picked Sanju Samson as the first-choice wicketkeeper, with Jitesh Sharma as the backup option. He praised Jitesh for his IPL 2025 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and felt he could be a handy addition.
In the all-rounders’ section, Kaif included Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel. Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Varun Chakravarthy formed his spin trio.
Mohammad Kaif’s India squad for Asia Cup 2025
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Jitesh Sharma.
The Asia Cup begins on September 9, with India’s first game scheduled for September 10. The big clash against Pakistan is lined up for September 14.