Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has named his 15-member India squad for the Asia Cup 2025. One of his biggest calls has been to pick Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kaif felt that Gill’s recent form with the bat, as captain during the England Test series, makes him a more deserving candidate as a backup opener.
The Asia Cup 2025 will get underway on September 9 in the UAE. India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Oman and the UAE. Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. With the tournament just a few weeks away, India’s squad selection is already under close watch.
Notably, the BCCI selectors, head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will pick the squad for the continental tournament in a meeting reportedly scheduled on August 19.
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Also read: Predicted India Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Mohammad Kaif Leaves Out Yashasvi Jaiswal, Backs Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj for Asia Cup 2025
Kaif has backed Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma to open the innings for India, with Shubman Gill waiting in the wings. While Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a strong contender, Kaif explained that Gill’s consistency and recent form is the reason why he preferred him over Jaiswal. In the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025), Gill scored 650 runs in 15 matches at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 155.88.
"Regarding Gill and Jaiswal, only one might make it, and I believe that considering the way Shubman Gill performed as captain on the England tour, scoring 750 runs, he deserves a spot. Even in the IPL, he scored plenty of runs. So, he might not make the playing XI, but his name should definitely be in the squad as a backup opener," Kaif said as quoted on his YouTube channel.
Kaif further weighed in on the competition for the wicketkeeping slot, where he chose Sanju Samson as the first-choice option and Jitesh Sharma as his backup.
"Next, if I talk about the backup opener, there is a tough fight between Gill and Jaiswal, but only one can be selected. You also need a backup wicketkeeper, and I am seeing Jitesh Sharma’s name. He is in amazing form and even led RCB to the finals this time. So, for the Asia Cup, Sanju Samson will be the main wicketkeeper, while the backup wicketkeeper will be Jitesh Sharma," he added.
When it came to the fast-bowling unit, Kaif made another interesting call. He believes Mohammed Siraj should be in the squad despite being overlooked for the Champions Trophy 2025, where Harshit Rana was preferred.
"I will take the name of one more player, Mohammed Siraj. Although his name was not included in the ODI team for the Champions Trophy, with Harshit Rana taking his place, the selectors will have to decide here whether to go with Harshit Rana or Siraj."
"However, I believe that given the way Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill performed on the England tour and brought glory to India, Siraj deserves to be in the squad for his bowling performances. So, Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill are two players whom I would like to see rewarded with a spot in the squad," Kaif concluded.
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Mohammad Kaif’s India Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Kaif also picked Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar as all-rounders. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy were the spinners selected by Kaif, while Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj made the pace-bowling unit.
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj and Jitesh Sharma.
