Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain in India’s T20I side for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, suggesting a major shakeup in leadership and top order. The 15-member squad was announced by the selection committee on Tuesday in Mumbai, with Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Gill as vice-captain, replacing Axar Patel.
India will play in the Asia Cup, which will be in the UAE from September 10 onwards, marking India’s first major T20I since the bilateral series against England in January. India has been placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Oman and the UAE who will be the hosts.
Gill’s selection indicates India’s renewed faith in his leadership potential and form as he had a brilliant season throughout all formats. The 25-year-old player had last been involved in India’s T20Is during the tour of Sri Lanka in July 2024, where he was vice-captain to Suryakumar. He has since been tied up with Test and ODI duties, as previously skipper in England in the five-Test series drawn 2-2 earlier this year. He was also a member of the Indian squad that won a Champions Trophy title.
“We obviously see some leadership attributes in him, and it was the form we’re wishing to see it in England. He’s exceeded all of our expectations which is a good sign when there’s so much pressure as a captain,” said chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar. Gill also had a strong IPL 2025 with Gujarat Titans, racking up 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87.
His selection likely means he comes back to the top of the order, although Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are also in contention to open. Abhishek Although – offers a part-time bowling option and was included over Yashasvi Jaiswal who has been placed in the reserves despite strong performances over the last year. “As you say with Yashasvi, it’s just unfortunate again,” said Agarkar. “Abhishek gives us the option if we want to utilise him as a part-time bowler. It was always going to be one or the other of these guys.”
Shreyas Iyer, who guided the Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final and finished with 604 runs at a strike rate of 175, is also absent. His omission was one of the more surprising decisions, but Agarkar acknowledged fitting in all the players was always going to be difficult. “With respect to Shreyas, who can he replace? It is not his fault, nor our fault. For the time being only 15 players can be selected. So he will just have to wait his turn.”
The middle order and lower order have a nice mix of explosiveness and adaptability, which is made up of Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma who has been touted to be the starting wicket keeper if he bats first. You also have the all-rounders in Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube that will allow more depth and flexibility, while the pipeline is made up of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana. Rana has had a great IPL season where he was excellent with the ball and competent with the bat, providing more depth.
Suryakumar Yadav had kind words about Gill returning and changing as a leader. “When we went to Sri Lanka after the T20 World Cup, Gill was the vice-captain. He was then busy playing Tests and the Champions Trophy. So, he didn’t get the opportunity to play T20s. So, we are happy to have him back.
India’s journey starts on September 10, against UAE in Dubai. Then, they face Pakistan on September 14, also in Dubai before their final group-stage match against Oman in Abu Dhabi on September 19.
“This is the first big tournament we are playing since the 2024 T20 World Cup,” Suryakumar said. “We have had three or four bilateral series, so I think this is a good tournament to test ourselves. After this, we have a lot of T20s – roughly 20-22, before our first game in the 2026 World Cup. So, I think the journey starts from the Asia Cup.”
India Squad for the Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson.
Reserves: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal
