Suryakumar Yadav Advised to Focus, Not Follow Shubman Gill Amid Asia Cup Selection Controversy

India has been advised to place their faith in a player whom Shubman Gill did not give an opportunity to during the England tour, highlighting the potential of untapped talent for the upcoming Asia Cup.

India Gears Up for Asia Cup with Focus on Key Players

The Asia Cup kicks off in less than a week, marking the Indian cricket team’s return to action over a month after their impressive draw against England for the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Shubman Gill, having fully recovered from illness, will serve as deputy to T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav as India fine-tunes preparations ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. The team comes off a stellar T20I run last year, winning 22 of 26 matches, and with the World Cup returning to home soil after 10 years, anything less than a trophy finish would be a disappointment for the defending champions.

India’s biggest challenges are expected against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while Afghanistan and Bangladesh, though capable of causing upsets, are unlikely to trouble the team. Former India all-rounder Madan Lal has advised Suryakumar Yadav to include Kuldeep Yadav in the Playing XI. The left-arm wrist spinner, who did not feature in any of the five Tests in England, brings a unique bowling style difficult to counter in T20 cricket.

“Kuldeep Yadav should be included in the team due to his unique bowling style, which is difficult to counter in T20 cricket, though the final decision depends on the wicket conditions and team combination. Two spinners and three pace bowlers should be included in Dubai,” Lal told ANI.

‘There is controversy over…’

When India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad was announced last month, Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion sparked debate among cricketing experts, including Madan Lal, who still considers the decision controversial. Despite this, the 74-year-old remains confident that the team can focus on the field and aim to become Asia Cup champions for a record-extending ninth time.

“India is a strong favourite due to their skilled team. The unpredictability of the T20 format and the performances of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan—noting that Afghanistan is currently playing well—make the tournament exciting. There is controversy over the team combination, particularly the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, with selections often decided by selectors and coaches. Afghanistan is seen as a potential challenger to Pakistan, whose current performance and confidence levels are questioned. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are considered strong contenders,” Lal added.

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