India’s Test captain is likely to be excluded from Asia Cup 2025, with sources stating that the selectors and team management think that still Gill doesn’t fit in the T20I setup. Shubman Gill, had guided India to a close 2-2 draw in his maiden Test series as skipper, was being considered by a number of analysts for a return in the shortest format. Some even thought that he could be entrusted with a leadership role in T20Is. But based on a report by The Indian Express, the Ajit Agarkar-headed selection panel and team management are of the opinion that Gill does not as yet fit into the T20I unit.
Though the official team is likely to come out on August 19, the report notes that several informal meetings have already taken place, discussing how to fit Gill in. Several options were discussed among them, dropping a current opener or a middle-order hitter but none of them favored Gill.
“If Gill is included then he will straight away bat at the top, and if he doesn’t get a game then there is no point in having him. At the same time, it will be unfair on Sanju, who has done well. If Gill gets in then Sanju might have to miss out and Jitesh might get a game,” a BCCI source said.
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Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have impressed in the past year, and the administration is said to be keen on persisting with that opening combination. There were also discussions on replacing Tilak Varma, but that thought was ruled out considering his consistent outings and ICC T20I ranking he’s ranked No. 2 in the world currently.
Another choice that was deliberated on was replacing Gill with Yashasvi Jaiswal, the member from the 2024 T20 World Cup team but a player who didn’t get to play. That option also was turned down with the selectors wanting to keep the left-hander as a third-choice opener in the team.
Selectors and management are likely to hold a final meeting with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia prior to the squad being officially announced. Ajit Agarkar is scheduled to announce the final list of players in a press conference on August 19.
The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to start in Dubai on September 9, and the final announcement of the squad is eagerly awaited now especially with Gill’s possible exclusion emerging as a strong topic of discussion.
