Hyderabad: The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the Asia Cup 2025, starting September 9. They will play right after a five-match Test series against England. There was buzz that Shubman Gill might become the captain for all formats, especially after stepping in as Test captain. However, that’s not happening.
Suryakumar Yadav to Lead in the Asia Cup
Suryakumar Yadav will remain the captain for T20Is. A source from the BCCI confirmed, “Yes, there were talks about Shubman Gill becoming the T20 captain, but Surya will continue to lead.” The selection committee will meet on August 19 in Mumbai to choose the team for the Asia Cup, and Suryakumar will be part of that discussion despite currently being in Japan.
India’s last T20I series was against England, where they won 4-1 under Suryakumar’s captaincy. Abhishek Sharma stood out as the top run-scorer, amassing 279 runs, while Varun Chakravarthy took 14 wickets.
Recently, Gill led India to a challenging 2-2 draw in the Test series against England, earning praise for his leadership.
Suryakumar’s Rising Leadership
Suryakumar, known for his aggressive batting style, took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma after India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Since then, he has led the team in 22 matches, winning 17 for a win percentage of 79.54%. He has scored 558 runs in that time, including one century and four half-centuries.
Challenges Ahead with Pakistan
The upcoming Asia Cup might see India face Pakistan, though that match is uncertain. Bilateral cricket between the two nations has been on hold since 2013 due to strained relations. Their last encounter was in the 2012/13 series where Pakistan won the T20Is 2-1, with the ODIs ending in a 1-1 draw.
Tensions have intensified recently following a tragic attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. India’s response to the incident, dubbed Operation Sindoor, heightened the cross-border situation. This backdrop further complicates the chances of an India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup.
The cricket community eagerly awaits the tournament, hoping for thrilling matches while being mindful of the complex political landscape surrounding the sport.
Recent data shows that cricket remains a powerful unifying force in India, despite political tensions. According to a survey by the Sports Authority of India, 85% of fans support the team regardless of the situation, highlighting cricket’s role in bringing people together.
For in-depth analysis, check out the International Cricket Council (ICC) report.
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ASIA CUP 2025, SHUBMAN GILL, INDIA CAPTAIN ASIA CUP, SURYAKUMAR YADAV ASIA CUP, SURYAKUMAR YADAV TO CONTINUE LEADING INDIAN TEAM AMIDST TALKS AROUND GILL BEING ALL-FORMAT SKIPPER