By Moneycontrol Sports Desk | August 12, 2025
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The Asia Cup will be the Indian cricket team’s next major challenge following their memorable series against England. As per a PTI report, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is expected to announce the squad on either August 19 or 20.
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The report added that the selectors are unlikely to make significant changes to the current line-up, given the strength of the top five — Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya.
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“Abhishek Sharma is world’s No. 1 T20 batter in last ICC rankings. Sanju Samson has been fantastic last season with both bat and gloves. So it will certainly be a tough call but Shubman in current form (although in Tests) can’t be ignored. He had a good IPL also. Problem for selectors is, there are too many performers at the top of the order,” a BCCI source told PTI.
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With so many in-form batters vying for top-order spots, it will be tough to accommodate Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan.
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KL Rahul, who is India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs, is also unlikely to make the cut as he doesn’t feature in the middle-order in T20s. Samson is almost certain to be picked as the primary wicketkeeper, while the second keeper’s slot is expected to be a contest between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel.
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Hardik Pandya remains the preferred seam-bowling all-rounder, but Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to miss out due to an injury sustained in the England series. Shivam Dube, who returned strongly against England, is likely to make the cut.
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Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are also expected to be part of the squad as spin-bowling all-rounders.
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The pace department will be another area of discussion. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are assured of their places, but the third pacer’s role is up for grabs between Prasidh Krishna — who claimed 25 wickets in the last IPL — and Harshit Rana, known for his ability to generate extra bounce and deliver heavy balls.
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Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma/Dhruv Jurel.