Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has picked his India XI for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to begin on September 9 in Dubai. Notably, Gavaskar included vice-captain Shubman Gill as an opener in the playing XI while backing wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to bat in the middle order.
On August 19, Ajit Agarkar announced India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the T20 team. Shubman Gill replaced Axar Patel as vice-captain. He returned to India’s T20I side after last playing in July 2024. There have been questions about the final playing combination.
Sunil Gavaskar Picks Team India’s Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025
Speaking to Sports Today, Sunil Gavaskar picked Shubman Gill as an opener alongside Abhishek Sharma. Gavaskar also included Sanju Samson in the middle order. He added that Samson can adapt to the role, describing him as a class act.
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“He can still be in the team as somebody batting down the order. He can bat at 5 or 6. He shouldn’t be left out, after all, he’s the wicket-keeper. Sanju is a very gifted player; he can adapt. He is used to batting down the order, we shouldn’t be too worried about him, he’s a class act,” said Gavaskar.
Sanju Samson Placed in Middle Order in Team India’s Playing XI
Sunil Gavaskar picked Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill as openers, followed by Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav at three and four. The commentator placed Sanju Samson at No. 6 as the wicketkeeper, despite his recent success as a T20I opener.
Gavaskar included all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel in the batting order. He added that Hardik, Samson, and Axar can adjust their positions in the order based on the match situation.
“3 and 4 would be Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav. Depending on what the score is or what you need, you either put Hardik Pandya a little bit ahead, or Sanju Samson goes in to bat, there is also somebody like Axar Patel who can come in and bat, how well he batted in the final of the T20 World Cup in Barbados. That would be the way to go,” said Gavaskar.
Sunil Gavaskar Picks Four Specialist Bowlers in Team India’s Playing XI
Sunil Gavaskar picked specialist bowlers Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy for the lower order from No. 8 to 11. However, he noted that team management might prefer an all-rounder at No. 8 to provide extra batting depth.
He also mentioned that players like Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh will face tough competition for spots in the playing XI.
“As far as the bowling is concerned, I would go with Arshdeep as well as Bumrah to open the bowling, also have Axar and Hardik Pandya as the all-rounders, then Kuldeep and Varun Chakravarthy. Dube, Jitesh, Harshit, and Rinku Singh, it’s tough for them but that’s what it is.”
Sunil Gavaskar’s Team India playing XI for the 2025 Asia Cup: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
Also read: Asia Cup 2025- India schedule changed after high tension with Pakistan
