Shreyas Iyer to replace Shubman Gill in Asia Cup Squad, Agarkar confirms: Report

The selection committee, including Ajit Agarkar, will make the selections for the Asia Cup squad on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

The All India Men’s Senior Selection Committee is set to pick the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. Suryakumar Yadav has passed his fitness Test and is expected to lead India in the eight-team tournament, beginning September 9.

The selectors are faced with several significant decisions, but the key question is whether there’s a place for athletes like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have made significant strides in the shortest format, so there’s no reason to drop them. However, Gill and Jaiswal are currently among the biggest names in Indian cricket. The committee has to decide whether to make a bold move and exclude the pair for the time being.

According to a Sportstar report, the selectors are prepared to take a strong stand and exclude Gill and Jaiswal from the Asia Cup squad. Agarkar seems set to retain the core group that has flourished recently under Gautam Gambhir in T20Is.

The Asia Cup concludes on September 28, and the first Test against the West Indies starts on October 2. Given this tight schedule, it’s likely that the selectors will aim to keep Gill and Jaiswal rested for the red-ball duties.

Shreyas Iyer and Jitesh Sharma are reportedly in line to receive calls to join the Asia Cup squad. In the 2025 IPL, Sharma excelled with his big hits for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, leading them to win their first title. Shreyas Iyer also had a successful run, guiding Punjab Kings to the IPL final, albeit falling short against RCB.

The report suggests that the selectors seek an experienced middle-order batter for the Asia Cup in UAE conditions, making it highly likely for Shreyas Iyer to be selected. This right-handed batter played a key role in the Champions Trophy 2025 in UAE, which India won after defeating New Zealand in the final.

If Shreyas is selected, it could mean that either Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh might have to sit out. Both were part of India’s squad for the five-match T20I series against England in January 2025.

Suryakumar Yadav will participate in the Asia Cup selection meeting with India’s first match set for September 10 against the UAE. India is in Group A, alongside Pakistan, UAE and Oman.