India announced their Asia Cup squad on Tuesday (August 19). Here's what their playing XI could look like for the tournament.
India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Hong Kong, and the UAE. The tournament will be played in the UAE between September 9 and 28, marking the beginning of the journey towards the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Also read: India Asia Cup T20I squad: Shubman Gill named vice-captain, no room for Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill has returned to the T20I setup as vice-captain for the Asia Cup, replacing Axar Patel as Suryakumar Yadav's deputy. Jasprit Bumrah also features in a full-strength squad, after weeks of deliberation around his fitness following the England Test tour. Here is how India's playing XI can shape up for the Asia Cup games.
India's Asia Cup squad
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
Also read: Gill's return, Jitesh's golden ticket: Five takeaways from India's Asia Cup squad announcement
Top order
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vc), Tilak Varma
Gill's appointment as vice-captain should ensure he starts in the playing XI. Abhishek Sharma is the currently the No.1 ranked T20I batter and should keep his place, which means the axe is likely to fall on the other incumbent opener Sanju Samson. Tilak Varma is expected to walk in at No.3. The left-hander has a phenomenal T20I record, averaging 49.93 and striking at 155 with two hundreds to his name. Both Abhishek and Tilak also offer part-time spin options with the ball, which should further give them an edge over Samson.
Middle order
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk)
Suryakumar Yadav relinquished his No.3 spot for Tilak last year and the move paid dividends for India. While Yadav himself might not have been at his best in the last year or so - T20I average and strike rate of 21 and 148 respectively - he had a 700-run IPL season earlier this year at a strike rate of 167.91, which should ease doubts over his form.
Shivam Dube, part of India's successful T20 World Cup campaign last year, has held on to his spot in the squad and should make it to the XI over Rinku Singh as the extra batter. Dube brings exceptional spin-hitting ability and can roll his arm over if needed.
Samson's omission from the XI will pave the way for Jitesh Sharma's inclusion. Jitesh had a successful IPL campaign with RCB this year and can switch between a middle-overs enforcer and finisher role. Beyond No.4, the batting order is expected to be flexbile, to be decided based on conditions and match-ups.
All-rounders
Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel
There has been minimal noise around Hardik Pandya before the Asia Cup, but he'll continue to be one of, if not the most important player for India in terms of providing balance to the side. At No.8, India are likely to have Axar Patel, who can float up and down the batting order as required and can bowl through different phases in the innings, including with the new ball. Patel's presence at No.8 will also provide much-needed cushion to the batters, allowing them to bat freely.
Bowlers
Arshdeep Singh/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
Bumrah walks in as the leader of the attack for most games. India might consider resting him for a league match if they would have already qualified for the next stage. Varun, who has had a dream return to the national side after an underwhleming first stint during the 2021 T20 World Cup, will start as the lead spinner.
That leaves one spot, for which Arshdeep would be the frontrunner as the second seamer. A combination of Bumrah-Arshdeep-Pandya and Axar-Varun to go with part-time options in Abhishek-Varma-Dube would provide enough variety and depth. This would also mean Kuldeep would have to miss out from the first XI, unless conditions in UAE allow India to field only Bumrah and Pandya as the two quicks and go in with three frontline spinners, in which case Kuldeep would play over Arshdeep.
Playing XI
Abhishek Sharma
Shubman Gill (vc)
Tilak Varma
Suryakumar Yadav (vc)
Shivam Dube
Hardik Pandya
Jitesh Sharma (wk)
Axar Patel
Arshdeep Singh/Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Varun Chakravarthy
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