The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is set to meet in Mumbai on Tuesday to finalise India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025.
India’s Test captain Shubman Gill might find it difficult to get into the Asia Cup T20 side, with selectors struggling to find a way to slot him into the squad of 15. According to a report by Cricbuzz, Gill may not find a place in the Asia Cup roster, with the committee in the Asia Cup roster, with the committee as the first-choice opening pair.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is being considered as the third opener, ahead of Gill. However, Gill’s inclusion could still depend on head coach Gautam Gambhir’s inputs. If Gambhir pushes for Gill, Jaiswal might have to make way.
There has been much talk about vice-captaincy in recent times. Shubman Gill as possible vice-captain for the Asia Cup is something that has been doing the rounds. The truth is that vice-captaincy isn’t something that is very relevant to the selection meeting. Gill as player will indeed be discussed, and a call taken. It is equally true that his inclusion or non-inclusion will not depend on him being a possible vice-captaincy option. Gill has already proved that he is captaincy material in Test cricket. Vice-captaincy isn’t going to tilt the scales for or against him on August 19.
Indian team management and selectors are of the opinion that Gill at the moment doesn’t fit into their T20 scheme of things. Which means there are chances of Gill not boarding a flight to Dubai as the Indian team management want to stick to players whom they have backed post the 2024 T20 World Cup.
the selectors will convey this to the Indian board bosses before the selection committee assembles on August 19, to make them aware of the situation. The Indian team will continue to be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has cleared his fitness.
It is understood that in a series of informal talks before the selection, there was discussion on Gill’s inclusion in the playing eleven. If India’s Test captain makes it in the squad the team management would have to open the innings with him.
However, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson having done well in the top order, the team wants to stick with their tried and tested openers in whom they have invested so far. There was also a discussion informally on whether to drop Tilak Varma and accommodate Gill. However, the team management felt that it would be unfair on the left-handed batsman, who is holding the number two ranking in International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I’s batting rankings. The team doesn’t want Gill to be seen warming the bench.
This means recent success in England, where a young Indian cricket team without stars earned a 2-2 draw, might not have much of an impact on the upcoming selection, given it’s two different formats.
However, with recent success in Test cricket, Gill is pushing his case hard for inclusion in white ball formats. In the IPL, Gill was the fourth highest run getter after Sai Sudharsan (759), Surya (717), Kohli (657) with 650 runs. Shreyas (604) and Jaiswal (559) were 6th and 7th respectively.
With his success in the red ball format, the buzz had risen to make him the all-format captain of the Indian team. However, selectors are not jumping the gun after the England success and have decided to carry on with their old captain who is yet to lose a series in his leadership stint.
Finally, it will be interesting to see if the selectors decide to try out someone new. With the T20 World Cup just five months away, the Asia Cup is perhaps the final opportunity to check out on a new player. As the cup comes closer and India contest T20 games against South Africa and New Zealand in December-January, you would want to play your best XI and get the combination right. In fact, the time for experimentation is now. If Gill is in your World Cup plans, play him in Dubai. If Samson and Abhishek are the designated openers, they should be persisted with.
