Follow UsShubman Gill has made a comeback to India’s T20I squad and has been named the vice-captain for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, starting September 9 in the UAE. The right-hander, who last played a T20I in July 2024, has been preferred over Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15-member squad led by Suryakumar Yadav, announced on August 19 (Tuesday).
Gill has been in sensational form across formats in recent months. He piled up 650 runs in IPL 2025 at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.88, guiding the Gujarat Titans (GT) into the playoffs. Soon after, in his first assignment as India’s Test captain, he impressed by leading India to a 2-2 draw in England while amassing 754 runs at 75.40. His elevation to vice-captaincy, taking over from Axar Patel, signals that the selectors see him as a potential all-format leader for the future.
"Last time when he (Gill) played T20 for India, post T20 World Cup when we went to Sri Lanka, not Zimbabwe, when I was leading he was the vice-captain. So that's where we started a new cycle. After that he got busy with all the Test series and he didn't get an opportunity to play T20s because he was busy playing Test cricket and Champions Trophy. So he's there in the squad and we're happy to have him," said Suryakumar.
However, Gill’s place in the T20I XI is not guaranteed, given the successful opening partnership of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Along with them, India’s batting line-up features Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, and Rinku Singh.
In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah returns to lead the pace attack, playing his first T20I since the 2024 World Cup final against South Africa. He will be joined by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, with Pandya and Dube providing all-round support. The spin trio includes Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel.
"22 games before the T20 World Cup, injuries and form could dictate a few things, there’s a World Cup around the corner, you know the best 18-20 guys, we have some serious options in the T20 squad. No one is missing in this squad because of injuries, everyone is available, fit, and is there. Don’t think there are any injury concerns at the moment," said India chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Among the standbys are Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna, and Jaiswal, while notable omissions include the in-form Shreyas Iyer and pacer Mohammed Siraj.
India have been drawn in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, and will open their campaign against the UAE on September 10. Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Standby: Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna and Yashasvi Jaiswal