‘No chance of winning T20 World Cup’: India legend handpicks 3 names, questions their Asia Cup selection

India legend handpicks 3 names, questions their Asia Cup selection (AP Photo)

Former India opener Kris Srikkanth expressed dissatisfaction with the 15-member squad announced for the Asia Cup 2025, which starts from September 9. He called the selection "backwards" and added that even if this team wins the continental tournament, it is not be good enough to defend the T20 World Cup title next year.

He handpicked Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh as major source of concern. Dube and Rana were added to the squad with steady performances in the 2024 edition of the IPL, while Rinku is the team's chosen finisher due to his outstanding performance in IPL 2023. However, in the most recent 2025 edition, all three endured poor form.

Additionally, Srikkanth also objected to Axar Patel being replaced as the team's vice captain in favor of Shubman Gill, who has not played any T20I cricket since 2024.

Also Read | Ambati Rayudu partially agrees with Uthappa over WC snub but refuses to blame Kohli: 'The most frustrating thing was...'

“We might win the Asia Cup with this team, but there is no chance of winning the T20 World Cup with this bunch," Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Sportskeeda.

“Are you going to take this team to the World Cup? Is this the preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is hardly six months away? They have gone backwards. Axar Patel has been axed from vice-captaincy. I don’t know how Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana have come in. IPL is considered the main criteria for selection, but the selectors seem to have considered performances before that."

According to Srikkanth, the squad does not have a natural number five. Dube batted there in the team's most recent T20 match, scoring 30 from 13 as India set up 247/9.

Also Read | 'I don’t want anyone’s sympathy': Prithvi Shaw opens up after slamming century in Maharashtra debut

“Who will bat at No. 5? Five has to be either Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma or Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh. Hardik Pandya usually bats at No. 5, so now, Axar Patel cannot bat at six. I can’t understand how they picked Dube. Yashasvi Jaiswal have performed in international cricket and IPL as well. What does he do?" Srikkanth said.

India's Asia Cup campaign kicks off against the United Arab Emirates on September 10.