On Tuesday, August 19, Aakash Chopra selected a 16-man squad from among the players that were left off of India’s 2025 Asia Cup roster.
The BCCI selectors have come under fire from numerous experts for failing to include players like Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Aakash Chopra kept the former as one of his openers, claiming that he should have kept his position due to continuity as he was a member of the team that won the T20 World Cup the previous year. Ruturaj Gaikwad was chosen by the cricketer-turned-commentator to open with Jaiswal, citing his prior accomplishments, which included hitting a century against Australia.
First, let’s talk about Yashasvi Jaiswal. Since he was a member of the T20 World Cup squad, I believe his name ought to have been included in the Asia Cup roster as well. Since continuity is mentioned, why wasn’t he here if he was there?” Chopra stated in a video that was posted on his YouTube account.
“I have retained Ruturaj Gaikwad along with him. He struck a century against Australia in Guwahati while serving as the vice captain of the Indian squad. Although he sustained an injury during the IPL, he consistently delivers quality performances. Additionally, he has entirely vanished from the scene,” he continued.
KL Rahul was selected by Chopra as his third batsman. The 47-year-old talked about Rahul’s versatility as a batsman and his ability to hold wickets when needed.
“I have considered retaining KL Rahul at number three. No. 3 is not a horrible number, but he can bat down the order and open it. He will play quickly if you want him to. If he is required to manage and wickets are falling from one end, he can do it. In addition, he keeps wickets, but we aren’t getting him to do that,” he explained.
Chopra selected Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper and Shreyas as the team’s captain. At No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, they will bat.
Chopra has backed Nitish Kumar Reddy to fill Hardik Pandya’s position, therefore he will bat at number six.
“I have retained Shreyas Iyer as captain and at number four on my team. Rishabh Pant is a batsman-wicketkeeper for me at number five. Because Nitish Kumar Reddy performs the same duties as Hardik Pandya at No. 6, I have retained him,” Chopra noted.
Given the kind of IPL Krunal Pandya possessed, I believe his name ought to be preserved: Aakash Chopra
Washington Sundar and Krunal Pandya were named by Aakash Chopra as his team’s two seam-bowling all-rounders. He cited Pandya’s outstanding performance in the IPL 2025, where he was instrumental in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win, even though he supported Sundar to contribute with both bat and ball.
Aakash Chopra included Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Ravi Bishnoi in his squad as specialist bowlers.
“I am retaining Washington Sundar and Krunal Pandya at Nos. 7 and 8. I’ll get overs from Washi Sundar, who also gives my batting depth. I believe Krunal Pandya’s name should be preserved because of the kind of IPL he had. Although Yuzvendra Chahal’s name might have been there as well, I will keep Ravi Bishnoi at number nine. I have retained Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna at Nos. 10 and 11, Aakash Chopra said.
To round out Aakash Chopra team, five other players were selected: Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Sai Sudharsan.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj are the members of Aakash Chopra’s unpicked India XI for the 2025 Asia Cup.
India
