Legendary India National Cricket Team off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has picked his India squad for the Asia Cup 2025, which will be played from September 9 to 28.
Surprisingly enough, Harbhajan Singh has not picked Sanju Samson in his India squad for the Asia Cup 2025, but gave a spot to Shreyas Iyer.
One of KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant should be there – Harbhajan Singh
In an interaction with The Times of India, Harbhajan Singh said that Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and Shubman Gill should be included in the squad for the top-order spots.
He added that Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, and Riyan Parag could handle middle-order duties, with Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav being spin-bowling options.
Harbhajan Singh further said that KL Rahul could be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in the Asia Cup, and he will be competing with Rishabh Pant for the spot. He said:
“Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh. KL Rahul is a name that I didn’t take. He can also be a very, very good option since I am not putting any other keeper. KL can be another option. One of them or Rishabh Pant should be there”.
You need to understand that the T20 format is not just about hitting – Harbhajan Singh
India Test captain Shubman Gill’s name is the biggest talking point in Indian cricket at the moment, with conflicting reports coming out regarding his selection for the Asia Cup 2025.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh has backed Shubman Gill to make it to India’s Asia Cup squad as he feels that the batter can switch gears and play ultra-aggressive cricket when needed.
“You need to understand that the T20 format is not just about hitting the ball, and if Shubman Gill decides to hit, he is no less than anybody else. The type of batter that he is, he has a solid game. He has strong basics and can score all around the ground, whichever the format.
“If you look at the IPL, he has scored runs every season. He wears the Orange Cap on his head, and that doesn’t come to you, just like that. It is not like he bats at a 120 strike rate; he bats at a strike rate of 160, 150 strike rate,” Harbhajan said.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill to replace Rinku Singh in India squad, RCB star to be back-up keeper
I think he can play the format well and dominate as well – Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan also said that Gill possesses the ability to showcase sheer dominance by playing big knocks in T20I cricket.
“I think he can play the format well and dominate as well. We used to watch fours and sixes, but it is not necessary that in 20 overs, one needs to hit only fours and sixes. We also need someone who can play the big innings,” he added.
Notably, some reports claimed that Shubman Gill will be added to India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad as vice-captain, replacing Axar Patel in the role.
But latest reports suggest that things are not this simple, and he might not find it easy to get a place in what is looked at as a “set team”, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma likely to continue as openers.
Overall, Shubaman Gill has scored 578 runs for India in 21 T20I matches at an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of 139.27.
