The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee is expected to pick India’s Asia Cup squad on August 19 or 20, pending medical updates from the Centre of Excellence’s Sports Science team, including on captain Suryakumar Yadav who has resumed batting in Bengaluru nets.
Early signals suggest the selectors won’t tinker much with a settled core: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya are understood to form a solid top five for India’s Asia Cup campaign.
Three big names in the squeeze: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul
With a logjam at the top, it may be difficult to accommodate Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan despite their promise and recent form, according to the report.
KL Rahul—India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs—may also miss out because he does not slot into the T20 middle order configuration the selectors are prioritizing for the Asia Cup.
A BCCI source cited by PTI highlighted the challenge: Abhishek Sharma’s rise to world No. 1 in the ICC T20 batting rankings and Sanju Samson’s strong returns with bat and gloves make the top order crowded, while Shubman Gill’s current form and solid IPL add further competition.
Wicketkeeping: Samson leads, second slot between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel
Sanju Samson is “all but certain” as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Asia Cup squad.
For the second keeper’s role, it’s a straight shootout between Jitesh Sharma—who impressed as a finisher during RCB’s title-winning IPL run—and Dhruv Jurel, who was part of India’s last T20I series.
All-rounders: Hardik locked, Dube in frame; Reddy racing time
Hardik Pandya remains India’s first-choice white-ball seam-bowling all-rounder and anchors the balance of the XI.[1]
Nitish Kumar Reddy, injured during the England series, is unlikely to recover in time, opening space for Shivam Dube, who made a strong comeback against England.
Among spin-bowling all-rounders, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are set to feature, giving India depth with bat and ball and matchup flexibility through the middle overs.
Pace attack: Bumrah, Arshdeep locked; third seamer between Prasidh and Harshit
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh have effectively sealed two fast-bowling spots for the Asia Cup squad.
The third seamer slot is a live contest between Prasidh Krishna—coming off a 25-wicket IPL— and Harshit Rana, praised for heavy, hard lengths that can trouble batters in middle and death overs.
Spin options: Kuldeep and Varun offer wicket-taking threat
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy add cutting-edge variety to India’s spin attack, complementing Axar Patel and Washington Sundar for different phases and surfaces in the Asia Cup.
Likely India Asia Cup squad contenders (as reported)
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Shubman Gill
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna
- Jitesh Sharma or Dhruv Jurel
Final selection will hinge on the CoE medical bulletins and role balance, but the core above reflects the current thinking as per the report.
Key takeaways for fans
- Selection date target: August 19–20, subject to player fitness updates.
- Top order stability: Abhishek, Samson, SKY, Tilak, and Hardik form the backbone.
- Tough calls: Jaiswal, Sudharsan, and KL Rahul may miss out due to role overlap.
- Second keeper battle: Jitesh vs Jurel, with finishing value under focus.
- Bowling balance: Bumrah–Arshdeep lead pace; Kuldeep–Varun headline spin threats.
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