BCCI Announces Squad for Asia Cup 2025
New Delhi: 20th August 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has selected the Indian squad that will represent the country in the Asia Cup 2025, to be held in the UAE. Suryakumar Yadav was appointed captain and Shubman Gill vice-captain, with this announcement being made in Mumbai by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Shubman Gill’s recall to T20 cricket marks an exceptional return to the fold, but the removal of Axar Patel as vice-captain has opened the floodgate of former cricketer criticisim.
Kaif Supports Axar Patel
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed dissatisfaction with the removal of Axar Patel’s vice-captaincy.
In a post, he wrote: “I hope Axar Patel was informed about his removal from vice-captaincy in advance and he didn’t come to know about it from the press conference. Axar did no wrong so he deserves an explanation. @akshar2026”
Kaif’s comments made it quite clear that India is looking for greater communication with senior players and respect for their roles.
Axar Patel’s Consistent Performances
Axar Patel has established himself as significant part of India’s T20 team. He was vice-captain during the five-match T20 series against England this year where India won 4-1, and Axar contributed 6 wickets. He also helped in securing India’s 2024 T20 World Cup winning team when he took 3 wickets against England in the semifinal and scored 47 off 31 against South Africa in the final.
With his all-rounder prowess with bat and ball, and commendable fielding, Axar Patel will likely find a way into the playing XI, even if he has lost the vice-captaincy.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Fixtures
10 September – UAE (Dubai)
14 September – Pakistan (Dubai)
19 September – Oman (Abu Dhabi)
India’s Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jitesh Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana.
