Big names return as India announce strong squad for Asia Cup

Defending champions India have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE.

Suryakumar Yadav will captain India in next month’s Asia Cup as the team looks to clinch a record-extending ninth title.

The squad features several major changes from the side that lifted last year’s ICC Men's T20 World Cup, with the return of some big names adding further strength.

Jasprit Bumrah makes his return to India’s white-ball setup for the first time since the 2024 T20 World Cup. The pacer, who has only featured in Test cricket since last year’s T20 World Cup final, was rested from limited-overs assignments and also missed the ICC Champions Trophy due to injury.

India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

Reserves: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal

In the batting department, the selectors have placed their faith in the young trio of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh, all of whom have enjoyed breakthrough performances over the past year.

They will be complemented by the experience of Suryakumar, while the line-up also welcomes back Shubman Gill who last featured in a T20I for India more than a year ago in the series against Sri Lanka.

Sanju Samson is set to take charge as India’s first-choice wicket-keeper, having formed a promising opening partnership with Abhishek in the past 12 months.

Jitesh Sharma will provide backup options, with both players making their return to the T20I squad after more than a year.

Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel will continue as India’s premier all-rounders, having played pivotal roles in the team’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy triumphs.

They will be joined by Shivam Dube to further strengthen the all-round department.

Bumrah will lead the bowling unit alongside the 2024 ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Year Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

Varun Chakravarthy will head India’s spin department following his stellar performances in the UAE during the Champions Trophy, and he will be complemented by Kuldeep Yadav, making his first T20I appearance since the 2024 World Cup final.

The tournament commences on September 9, with India opening their campaign against the UAE on September 10.

Asia Cup schedule

India's group fixtures in the Asia Cup:

10 September – UAE v India, Dubai
14 September – India v Pakistan, Dubai
19 September – India v Oman, Dubai

Super Fours

20-26 September in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Final

28 September in Dubai