Predicted India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025: Samson vs Jitesh as Gill set to open with Abhishek

The BCCI announced a 15-member squad for Asia Cup 2025 with Shubman Gill returning as the vice-captain. That creates a problem for Sanju Samson's opening spot.

The India squad for Asia Cup 2025 is out. While the squad has been on expected lines, there were three surprises. Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana are in the squad as backups despite average performance in IPL 2025. However, the biggest fight for a spot in India Playing XI for Asia Cup would be for the wicketkeeper’s spot between Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma. The reason is Shubman Gill. With Gill appointed the vice-captain, he will open the innings with Abhishek Sharma. That could force Samson out of the XI.

There will also be a question mark on the second spinner. While Varun Chakaravarthy has done well in T20s, Kuldeep Yadav could also get a nod. Axar Patel is all set to be the spin bowling all-rounder.

Sanju Samson vs Jitesh Sharma

First things first: Sanju Samson. As Shubman Gill is set to return as the opener, that effectively demotes Samson from his opening spot. But if not opening, where does he fit in? Tilak Varma has played at No 3 since T20 World Cup 2024, averaging 161.50. He also smashed two consecutive centuries at that spot in South Africa. Hence, the team management might want to stick to Tilak at No 3. With captain Suryakumar Yadav a permanent fixture at No 4, Samson does not have a place there either. The problem is that Samson hasn’t done well at No 4 or below. He is a top-order batter, and that could help Jitesh Sharma get the spot.

With Jitesh playing the role of the finisher to perfection for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he could be India’s No 7. The expectation from Jitesh would be to score at a high strike rate to finish things off. For RCB in IPL 2025, Jitesh maintained a strike rate of 176.35. As reported by InsideSport earlier, having Jitesh in the Playing XI would help India be flexible in the middle-order.

However, there is a way both Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma could play together. If Samson is prepared to bat at No 5, he could take up the slot with Jitesh coming in at No 8. However, for that to happen, India must opt for one specialist spinner to partner Axar Patel.

“Post last T20WC, we spoke a lot about how to go about it. We spoke about let’s not thinking of milestones ahead, follow your journey. Been a completely different cricketer post that. The way he performed in the IPL and domestic tournaments he played, he’s done really well, has earned his spot again,” India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav said at the press conference.

Varun Chakaravarthy vs Kuldeep Yadav

Another battle for a spot would be between Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav. While both deserve to be in the India Playing XI, the team may not prefer to go with three spinners. The conditions in the UAE would be slow and that would need someone like Chakaravarthy.

The mystery spinner picked up 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and had an economy rate of 7.66. In the UAE, he has already found success, bagging 28 wickets in 26 matches at an economy rate of 6.36.

On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav bagged 15 wickets for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 at an economy rate of 7.07. However, in the UAE, he hasn’t played many games. He has only bowled 12 overs, taking just one wicket at an economy rate of 7.66. That could help Chakaravarthy ace the spot in the India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025.

Predicted India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

1. Abhishek Sharma
2. Shubman Gill (VC)
3. Tilak Varma
4. Suryakumar Yadav (C)
5. Sanju Samson/ Jitesh Sharma (WK)
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Axar Patel
8. Kuldeep Yadav
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Varun Chakaravarthy