The countdown for the Asia Cup 2025 has already begun, and fans across the continent are eagerly waiting to witness one of cricket’s biggest rivalries reignite. With India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other Asian giants set to battle it out, discussions around team combinations and player selections are heating up. Supporters and experts are busy debating who should make it to India’s final playing XI, adding to the excitement ahead of the tournament.
Mohammad Kaif reveals his India XI for Asia Cup 2025
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif, now a popular cricket analyst, has shared his preferred India XI for the upcoming Asia Cup on his YouTube channel. Kaif’s selection shows a balance of youth and experience, with some bold calls that are already creating a buzz among fans.
Stylish openers
Kaif opted for Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as his opening pair, banking on their aggressive stroke play and ability to set the tone early in T20 cricket. Both players have shown promise in recent outings, and Kaif believes they can provide India with flying starts.
Solid middle-order
In the middle-order, Kaif went with Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, handing the captaincy role to Surya. Known for his 360-degree batting, Yadav is seen as the anchor around whom the rest of the batting line-up can revolve. Tilak, on the other hand, adds youthful flair and calmness under pressure.
Star all-rounders
All-round depth has always been India’s strength, and Kaif made sure to load his XI with versatile options. Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), and Washington Sundar form a dynamic unit, capable of changing games with both bat and ball. Their presence not only provides batting depth but also ensures India has multiple bowling choices.
Also READ: Mohammad Kaif picks India’s next ODI captain after Rohit Sharma
Strong bowling attack
To round off his XI, Kaif named Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah. While Bumrah leads the pace attack with his unmatched yorkers, Arshdeep brings variety with his left-arm swing. Kuldeep, meanwhile, remains India’s go-to wicket-taker in middle overs.
Shubman Gill’s absence raises eyebrows
While Kaif’s XI looks strong on paper, one major talking point has been the absence of Shubman Gill. Regarded as one of India’s brightest young talents, Gill has been a consistent performer in international cricket. His exclusion from Kaif’s list has surprised many fans, sparking debates on whether India can afford to leave out a batter of his caliber in a high-profile tournament like the Asia Cup.
Mohammad Kaif’s India XI for Asia Cup 2025: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
Also READ: 3 reasons why Yashasvi Jaiswal deserves a spot in India’s T20I squad for Asia Cup 2025
