Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a fresh debate ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 by revealing his preferred 15-member squad. With the BCCI selectors set to announce the official team on Tuesday, Ashwin shared bold choices on his YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat”, leaving out some big names while backing consistent performers.
One of the most striking calls from Ashwin was the exclusion of Test captain Shubman Gill. While Gill’s place in the limited-overs setup has been hotly debated among fans and experts, Ashwin felt the youngster doesn’t fit into his Asia Cup combination. Instead, he placed his trust in Shreyas Iyer, picking him at the crucial No. 3 spot. According to Ashwin, Shreyas’ inclusion automatically rules out Shivam Dube from the playing XI.
At the top of the order, Ashwin paired Abhishek Sharma with Sanju Samson, highlighting their ability to provide aggressive starts. “Shreyas at No. 3. Surya and Tilak can float between 4 and 5. If Shreyas comes in, Dube doesn’t have a place. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel will block No. 6 and 7, so there’s no debate there,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained.
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The wicketkeeper slot is another area where competition is intense. With KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, and Jitesh Sharma in the mix, Ashwin strongly backed Jitesh Sharma as Samson’s backup. He praised Jitesh’s IPL performances and finishing ability, suggesting that his selection would make Shivam Dube surplus to requirements. “If Jitesh is in, he handles finishing duties as well. That seals the 15th slot for me,” Ashwin added.
In the bowling department, Ashwin leaned towards a balanced spin unit. He placed Kuldeep Yadav at No. 8 and included Washington Sundar as part of the reserves. Interestingly, he was confident about Varun Chakravarthy’s role, noting the mystery spinner’s improved batting in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).
For pace options, Ravichandran Ashwin had little doubt. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh were automatic picks, forming the backbone of the seam attack. “At 10, Bumrah. At 11, Arshdeep. With that, the main bowling core is complete,” he concluded.
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Ashwin’s squad highlights a mix of experience and fresh energy, but his decision to drop Gill while pushing Jitesh Sharma into the reckoning is bound to divide opinions. With the Asia Cup 2025 just around the corner, the selectors’ final decision will reveal how closely Ashwin’s predictions align with reality.
