The former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has made a surprise selection call for India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025, where he left out Shubman Gill, who has been highly debated among fans and experts over the last few days.
With the BCCI selectors gearing up to pick the squad for the continental event on Tuesday, Ashwin made some bold selection calls as he was named in a 15-member squad for the tournament.
However, he added Shreyas Iyer to his pick for the squad. Ashwin had not qualms in picking the duo of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson while Shreyas Iyer comes in No.3 spot for the veteran off-spinner.
Ashwin feels that Shreyas’ inclusion wouldn’t leave any spot for Shivam Dube in the squad.
“Shreyas at 3. Surya and Tilak can float. Surya and Tilak can change between 4 and 5. If you are bringing Shreyas Iyer on the scheme of things, then Shivam Dube doesn’t have a place. He doesn’t have a place. He can be in a backup position,” said Ashwin.
“Which we can discuss. Because if Shreyas Iyer, Surya and Tilak, if they form your top 5, then it is 6 and 7. 6 and 7 is a block. Akshar Patel and Hardik Pandya. There is no debate in that,” said Ashwin in a video in his YouTube channel.
Among wicketkeepers, the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma are competing for the spot of Sanju Samson’s backup. Ashwin feels that Jitesh Sharma will win the race of backup wicket keeper.
“We have sent Sanju up (in the order). So, we will have to discuss who is the backup keeper. There are many candidates for backup keeper. Last time, Dhruv Jhurel was there. KL Rahul is there. Rishabh Pant, I am not sure if he is recovered.
“But on one hand, the real person that I think is going to walk into this Indian team is Jitesh Sharma. As per his IPL, and the way he batted, and he can play the role of a finisher. If Jitesh Sharma is your backup keeper, then Shivam Dube goes out of the window.
“Shivam Dube cannot come. If Jitesh Sharma is going to be a part of it, Shivam Dubey is out, can’t come in.
“Because Jitesh Sharma will take care of finishing. Which means, Jitesh Sharma becomes your backup wicket-keeper. Which is your 15th slot,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin also picked Kuldeep Yadav for the no.8 spot while Varun Chakravarthy will be at 9. Meanwhile Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah will form the pace attack.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against UAE on September 11 at Dubai International Stadium.
