The selection of Test skipper Shubman Gill as a reserve opener was one of the more intriguing choices. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his opinions about who should represent India in the Asia Cup 2025, which is quickly approaching. Kaif unveiled a 15-man team that featured four backup players in addition to his starting lineup.
From September 9 to September 28, the competition will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). India, the reigning champions, will play the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on September 10 to start their campaign. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are the starting duo that the Indian team wants to remain with, and Kaif shares this sentiment.
“Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will start if we discuss the starting lineup. Tilak Varma will start at number three, and the captain, Suryakumar Yadav, will be at number four. The vice captain and number five pick, Axar Patel, will be followed at number six by Hardik Pandya. Washington Sundar will be at number eight, and Shivam Dube will be at number seven.
Jasprit Bumrah will be at number eleven, Arshdeep Singh at number ten, and Kuldeep Yadav at number nine, Kaif stated on X.
“Shubman Gill will be the backup opener and Jitesh Sharma will be the backup wicketkeeper if I add four more names and discuss the squad. Mohammed Siraj and Varun Chakravarthy will be the other two participants,” he continued.
What’s your Asia Cup playing 11?
Tell us in the comments! pic.twitter.com/tQXc1TUvC8— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 16, 2025
In what is sure to be one of the most anticipated matches of the Asia Cup 2025, archrivals India and Pakistan will square off on September 14. On September 19, India will play Oman to wrap up their group-stage schedule.
Even though India is the tournament’s official host, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will act as a neutral venue for the whole competition. Abu Dhabi and Dubai will serve as the two locations for the entire competition. Eight teams—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman—will vie for continental honours.
The Asia Cup will be played in the 20-over format this time, as has been customary, with only six months to go until the T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host. As a prelude to the 50-over World Cup that year, the final edition in 2023 was contested in the ODI format. India defeated Sri Lanka in the Colombo finals to win the 2023 competition.
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