Former India opener and now a renowned analyst, Aakash Chopra, stirred debate on Tuesday, August 19, when he revealed a 16-man squad of players ignored by the BCCI selectors for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. With several big names missing from India’s official squad, Chopra highlighted how talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer deserved better treatment, sparking discussions about consistency in selection policies.
Starting with the top order, Chopra backed Yashasvi Jaiswal as his first-choice opener. He reminded viewers that Jaiswal was a part of India’s T20 World Cup 2024-winning squad, and therefore, should not have been overlooked. According to Chopra, cricket boards often speak about “continuity,” yet Jaiswal’s exclusion contradicted that philosophy.
Partnering him at the top, Aakash Chopra chose Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has captained India in the past and even struck a memorable century against Australia in Guwahati. While acknowledging Gaikwad’s unfortunate injury during IPL 2025, Chopra stressed that the right-hander’s consistency and proven ability make him too valuable to ignore.
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For the crucial No. 3 spot, Chopra slotted in KL Rahul, praising his adaptability. He explained that Rahul’s versatility allows him to bat at different positions depending on the match situation—accelerating when needed or anchoring during collapses. While Rahul also offers the added option of wicketkeeping, Chopra clarified that his squad would not require him in that role.
The middle order featured two experienced campaigners: Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, whom Chopra also handed the captaincy, and Rishabh Pant at No. 5 as the wicketkeeper-batter. Chopra justified Iyer’s leadership by pointing to his composure and ability to guide younger players, while Pant’s fearless batting style added an explosive edge to the lineup. At No. 6, Chopra trusted Nitish Kumar Reddy, backing the youngster to play the dual role that India often expects from Hardik Pandya—providing crucial runs while contributing with the ball.
Moving into the all-rounder section, Chopra selected Krunal Pandya and Washington Sundar at Nos. 7 and 8. He applauded Sundar’s ability to add balance by bowling economical overs and extending the batting depth. Krunal’s inclusion was based on his standout season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025, where his all-round brilliance played a decisive role in their success.
In terms of specialist bowlers, Aakash Chopra went with Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj. Bishnoi’s aggressive leg-spin, Siraj’s proven pace, and Prasidh’s bounce and seam movement, according to Chopra, provided the right mix of variety in the bowling department.
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Finally, Chopra rounded out his squad with five additional names: Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Khaleel Ahmed. These players, he felt, offered both future promise and immediate impact, giving his alternate squad the right blend of youth, experience, and flexibility.
By naming this shadow squad, Aakash Chopra once again underlined his sharp eye for talent while indirectly questioning the selectors’ choices. His picks reignite the conversation on whether India’s selection committee values continuity and form equally, or if reputations and short-term struggles still weigh too heavily in critical decisions.
Aakash Chopra’s unselected India XI for 2025 Asia Cup: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.
