The revelation of the Indian Asia Cup 2025 team has been associated with new scandals among fans and experts. As Shubman Gill returns to take over as a deputy to Suryakumar Yadav, some of the big names have been marginalised. Amongst them, Sanju Samson may also lose his place in the playing XI, feels Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ashwin questions team selection in Asia Cup 2025
Ashwin in his YouTube video rued that the names of his fellow players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer were not in the final 15. He pointed out that team selection is never an easy task, but the communication with the one who is not chosen in a team must be handled carefully.
“See, I understand that selection is a thankless job. Leaving somebody out, telling someone they are dropped, it is not an easy thing. You have to speak to the players, you have to go through the sadness. I just hope Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal were given a call, and they were told the reasons behind not being picked,” Ashwin said.
He said that the selection of Gill is justified due to his recent performances and new appointment as vice-captain but still it feels cruel to the young players who were once a part of the core group.
Shubman Gill’s inclusion impacts Jaiswal and Iyer
Ashwin admitted that Shubman Gill was a good resume because he had an IPL record with Gujarat Titans. He did not like the fact that Jaiswal and Iyer were sidelined.
“Genuinely, I understand Shubman Gill’s selection. He is also the vice-captain. He has scored a lot of runs for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He has credentials to be picked in the T20I setup,” Ashwin explained.
The off-spinner reminded that Jaiswal is the third opener of India at the T20 World Cup 2024. To get rid of him abruptly and revert to Gill was inconsistent in selection, Ashwin said.
“When you have Yashasvi Jaiswal as the third opener in the T20 World Cup 2024, to remove someone from the World Cup squad and bring in Shubman Gill. I mean, it’s okay, I am happy for Shubman, but I’m very sad for both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer. It is just not fair to these two kids,” he said.
Asia Cup 2025 plans and future captaincy talks
Recently, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has said that he is being promoted in the long-term leadership strategy by India, who is being groomed as a future captain in all formats. However, Ashwin feels that this may not be required.
“Jaiswal has also been in some fine form. Maybe they are thinking of Shubman Gill as the leader for the future. Maybe he can be the all-format captain. But it is not necessary to have the same captain in all formats,” Ashwin noted.
The promotion of Gill as vice-captain essentially ensures that he is in the playing XI, which the management will have to alter the batting order to include him and Abhishek Sharma at the top.
Sanju Samson likely to miss out in Asia Cup 2025
Ashwin also added that the role of Sanju Samson will be in danger. With Gill in the top, Samson might be the one to be dropped out of the playing XI.
“What is sadder is that you have announced Gill as the vice-captain, so Sanju Samson’s place is also under threat. Sanju is not going to play. Shubman Gill will play, and he will open the batting,” Ashwin stated.
As the Asia Cup 2025 draws near, there are more questions about whether the Indian management has got the right balance. At present, Gill would appear to have gained a sense of security, whereas Jaiswal, Iyer, and Samson have an uncertain future in India T20I squad.
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