Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked his ideal Indian playing XI for the 2025 Asia Cup. However, the 2025 Asia Cup will be played in the UAE from Tuesday, September 9, where India will start their campaign with a Group A clash against the UAE in Dubai on September 10.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “I will start with Abhishek Sharma. Shubman Gill will be there with him. I can’t find a place for Sanju Samson because Shubman Gill is the vice-captain. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma at No. 3 and No. 4, whichever way you wish. Then Hardik Pandya and Jitesh Sharma, followed by Shivam Dube. If I need a left-hander, I will promote Shivam and move Jitesh down.”

“After that, Axar Patel at No. 8. If there is an unlikely collapse, he can bat up the order. He can also bowl with the new ball in the powerplay if required. After that, Varun Chakaravarthy has a place in my team. I am playing two fast bowlers, one is Jasprit Bumrah and the other is Arshdeep Singh. This is my ideal XI,” he shared again.

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While talking about India’s strengths in the same video, Aakash Chopra added that they have all bases covered heading into the 2025 Asia Cup.

“If you look at the discipline, I am talking about skill set, and then the experience, expertise and options, you will have to say that this team seems to be perfect in all areas. I feel Shubman Gill will be seen opening with Abhishek Sharma. So a right-hander and a left-hander,” he said.

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“It might be a topic of discussion whether Shubman Gill cuts it or not in T20 cricket, but the IPL numbers are excellent, and this guy has shown that as soon as you throw some challenges at him, he is going to lap it up. He showed that by doing it in England, scored 750 runs. He passed the test with flying colors,” Chopra shared.

“Then you will see Surya and Tilak. You can swap them as you wish. After that, you will see Hardik Pandya at No. 5 and Jitesh Sharma at No. 6. Then you will see Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, which means the depth in batting is immense,” Aakash Chopra concluded.