India Asia Cup Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh Snubbed; Shubman Gill Named Back-Up in Kaif’s XI

India Asia Cup Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh Snubbed; Shubman Gill Back-Up in Mohammad Kaif’s Side

The BCCI’s selection committee is preparing to announce the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025 next week. With the T20 World Cup looming in India and Sri Lanka next year, the Asia Cup will serve as a vital dress rehearsal for the Men in Blue. Selection debates are already heating up, and former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has thrown his hat into the ring by predicting his own version of the squad. India Asia Cup Squad

What makes Kaif’s squad particularly interesting is the omission of two popular names—Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh, who many fans had expected to see in the Asia Cup lineup. On the other hand, Shubman Gill, who has struggled to cement his T20I place recently, finds a mention as a back-up option. India Asia Cup Squad

Kaif’s Predicted Asia Cup XI

Mohammad Kaif, a veteran of 13 Tests and 125 ODIs, laid out his preferred playing XI and squad during a discussion on his YouTube channel. His choices were both bold and thought-provoking.

• Openers: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma

• No. 3: Tilak Varma

• No. 4: Suryakumar Yadav

• Vice-Captain: Axar Patel

• Middle-Order/All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar

• Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Kaif explained that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma offer a mix of aggression and consistency at the top. Samson has been in good form in recent T20I appearances, while Abhishek’s explosive batting and ability to bowl left-arm spin provide balance. India Asia Cup Squad

At No. 3, Kaif went with Tilak Varma, one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket, praising his maturity and calmness under pressure. Suryakumar Yadav, the current backbone of India’s T20 batting, retains his natural No. 4 slot. India Asia Cup Squad

Interestingly, Axar Patel was not only picked but also named vice-captain, underlining Kaif’s trust in his all-round abilities. With his improved batting and consistent left-arm spin, Axar has become a dependable force.

The middle order features Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar—a trio that gives India depth in both batting and bowling. For the bowling attack, Kaif went with Kuldeep Yadav (wrist spin), Arshdeep Singh (left-arm pace), Jasprit Bumrah (strike bowler), and Varun Chakaravarthy (mystery spin).

Shubman Gill vs. Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Backup Battle

One of the hottest debates in Indian cricket currently revolves around the backup opener slot. Kaif admitted that the contest is between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. India Asia Cup Squad

Gill, who was left out of India’s last two T20I series, revived his case with strong performances in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. Kaif noted that Gill’s recent red-ball success and versatility could tip the scales in his favor. India Asia Cup Squad

Meanwhile, Jaiswal, who impressed in 2023 and early 2024 with his fearless stroke play, has seen his form dip in the last year. His inconsistency and struggles against quality spin attacks may have hurt his chances. Kaif hinted that the selectors might prefer Gill’s temperament and adaptability over Jaiswal’s flair, at least for the Asia Cup.

Rinku Singh’s Shock Omission

Perhaps the biggest talking point from Kaif’s squad is the exclusion of Rinku Singh. Once hailed as India’s next finisher after his iconic five sixes off Yash Dayal in the IPL, Rinku’s career graph has plateaued.

• In the 2024 IPL, he faced just 113 balls.

• In the 2025 season, he played slightly more (134 balls), but failed to dominate as expected.

• His strike rate and finishing consistency dipped, leading many to question his long-term role in India’s T20 setup. India Asia Cup Squad

Kaif’s decision to leave him out reflects a growing sentiment that Rinku’s spot is no longer guaranteed. While he was on standby for the 2024 T20 World Cup, he never made it to the main squad. His recent performances suggest that the team management might now be looking at other options for the finisher’s role.

Interestingly, Rinku’s struggles also coincided with Gautam Gambhir’s return as KKR mentor in 2024. Under Gambhir’s tactical guidance, Rinku’s role was restricted, signaling a reduced responsibility in the side.

The All-Rounder Factor

Kaif’s emphasis on multi-dimensional players is clear from his selections. By including Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel, he ensures that India has plenty of all-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball. India Asia Cup Squad

This strategy not only strengthens the batting depth but also gives flexibility in bowling combinations. In the T20 format, where balance is everything, this could be a decisive approach. India Asia Cup Squad

Spin Options: Kuldeep + Varun

Another highlight is Kaif’s preference for Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy as his specialist spinners. Kuldeep has been India’s most reliable wrist-spinner in limited-overs cricket, while Varun offers mystery spin, especially effective against teams unfamiliar with him. India Asia Cup Squad

Washington Sundar and Axar Patel add more spin options, making the squad spin-heavy—a possible indication that pitches in the Asia Cup could favor slower bowlers. India Asia Cup Squad

Key Takeaways from Kaif’s Asia Cup Squad

1. Sanju Samson as opener – A bold call that could finally give Samson a stable role.

2. Abhishek Sharma’s inclusion – Reflects India’s trust in the youngster’s all-round skills.

3. Shubman Gill as backup – Shows selectors may still back him over Jaiswal.

4. Rinku Singh omitted – A strong signal that his place is under serious threat.

5. Axar Patel as vice-captain – Recognition of his consistent performances.

6. Balance-heavy squad – Packed with all-rounders to maintain flexibility.

Looking Ahead

While Kaif’s squad is just a personal prediction, it raises crucial questions about India’s actual selection for the Asia Cup 2025. The BCCI selectors will announce the official squad next week, and fans will be eager to see whether names like Gill, Jaiswal, Samson, and Rinku make the cut. India Asia Cup Squad

For now, Kaif’s choices have sparked debate among fans, analysts, and former cricketers. If his predictions come true, the Asia Cup could mark a turning point for several Indian players—some cementing their places, others possibly facing the end of their international T20 journeys.

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