Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has given his thoughts on the team’s selection puzzle ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. The veteran cricketer believes that Yashasvi Jaiswal should be a straightforward pick in the squad as an opener following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20Is. Ashwin also pointed out that Shubman Gill’s recent form and Sanju Samson’s consistency as an opener will make the selectors’ job difficult while selecting the second opener.
The Indian squad for the Asia Cup will be announced on August 19. With the tournament set to begin on September 9, the focus is on finding the right opening pair that can give India explosive starts.
As per reports, Samson and Abhishek Sharma, who opened for India last time they played a T20I series, will continue in the same role. One of Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to be picked as their back-up.
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Ravichandran Ashwin Weighs In on India’s Opening Conundrum For Asia Cup 2025
Ravichandran Ashwin was clear that Jaiswal’s presence should not be up for discussion.
"There are a few talking points regarding the Asia Cup. The first question that comes to everyone’s mind is whether Shubman Gill fits into the T20 plans because in the last World Cup, Yashasvi Jaiswal was the backup opener. So Jaiswal automatically gets a kick-in. Rohit Sharma is not going to be a part of that team, so Jaiswal automatically gets a look-in," Ashwin said as quoted on his YouTube channel.
He further spoke about the competition for the other opening spot. Ashwin also raised the possibility of a comeback for Shreyas Iyer, who has been away from India’s T20 plan, but was in a scintillating form in the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) and took Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the final.
"Now, who is going to be that other opener? Shubman Gill had an outstanding series. Can he return to the squad? Sanju Samson has had a fabulous run as a T20 opener for India. So I think it is a tricky state for the selectors. Can Shreyas Iyer make a comeback? There is a lot of decision-making that the selectors have to make. Even if there is a lot to talk about, the Indian T20I side has been a successful unit," Ashwin added.
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India’s Asia Cup 2025 Schedule
The Asia Cup 2025 begins on September 9 with India scheduled to open their campaign against the UAE on September 10. A high-voltage clash against Pakistan will follow on September 14 before group matches wrap up on September 19 with India versus Oman.
Top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the Super 4 round, which will begin on September 20. The final is scheduled in Dubai on September 28.
