The Indian selection committee, led by the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, is set to meet on Tuesday, August 19. Soon after, they will also announce the T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
For the competition, which will be played from September 9 to 28, most of the squad include players who are a certain to be selected such as Suryakuamr Yadav, Sanju Samson and Varun Chakravarthy.
However, Rinku Singh's hot and cold form and Shreyas Iyer's resurgence after a magnificent season as the Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain have reportedly become major points of discussion for an open spot in the squad.
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Considering the spin-friendly UAE conditions, two other names that are being discussed are all-rounder Washington Sundar and Rajasthan Royals (RR) star batter Riyan Parag.
In this article, TSN explores whether India could turn to either of the aforementioned names for the Asia Cup
Who will make the India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Iyer, Rinku, Sundar or Parag?
Shreyas Iyer
The PBKS captain has shown a great improvement in the areas he needed to work on over the past 12 to 15 months, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL title and the Kings to a final.
With the ability to anchor or finish the games from any position in the middle order, he would provide flexibility according to the team's requirements and play accordingly, while also adding value on the leadership front.
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Earlier this year, he also enjoyed a great Champions Trophy campaign in the UAE, scoring 243 runs in 5 innings, including two fifties — he was only 20 behind the tournament's highest run-scorer, Rachin Ravindra.
Rinku Singh
The KKR star batter and India finisher has proven to be one of the most clinical batters at 5 to 7 numbers, scoring quick-fire runs in the last few years.
Rinku has scored 546 runs in 24 T20I innings at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 161.06 in difficult situations. He has shown great consistency in finishing matches at will alongside Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.
Washington Sundar
Fresh off a great Test tour of England, Sundar has shown great temperament in dealing with pressure with the bat lower down the order, while also bowling some great spells with his finger spin.
He would provide India both batting and bowling depth, which is something they have opted for under the Gautam Gambhir era. The all-rounder was also a part of the squad that won the ICC Champions Trophy, so adapting to the conditions would also be easy for him.
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Riyan Parag
After a promising IPL 2024, where he finished 3rd in the Orange Cap race with 573 runs, Parag has shown great maturity and improvement in his temperament, while also playing 9 T20Is and earning his ODI debut.
With consistent improvements and an ability to bowl off-break, Parag emerges as a player who could offer his arm part-time. It works in his favour if India requires another spin option without sacrificing on their batting front.
Additionally, the 23-year-old is one for the future, and keeping him in the squad could prove to be a great investment. Sharing the dressing room with the best players in the country during an important tournament could provide him with valuable learning and experience.