The Asia Cup 2025 tournament, scheduled to commence on September 9th and conclude on September 28th, is eagerly anticipated by fans. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the T20 format. Although the Indian team has yet to be announced, the board is expected to finalize the squad soon. A key point of discussion revolves around player selection. Some Indian cricketers who shone in IPL 2025 might not secure a place in the Asia Cup squad. Let’s examine five players who could face this disappointment.
**KL Rahul:** Rahul delivered a stellar performance for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, accumulating 539 runs in 13 matches at a striking rate of 149.72. He excelled in every batting position. However, the Indian selectors might find themselves in a dilemma regarding wicketkeeping choices, considering Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel as well. Rahul’s last T20 appearance was in 2022, and the T20 team has since favored youthful, aggressive top-order batsmen.
**Yashasvi Jaiswal:** Playing for Rajasthan Royals, Jaiswal scored 559 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 159.71, ranking among the top run-scorers. However, India’s opening roles have recently been filled by Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, and Shubman Gill is another contender. Jaiswal is being given more importance in the Test format, and other opening options are also available. It is possible that Jaiswal will be rested for the Asia Cup 2025, with a focus on the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting on October 2nd.
**Shreyas Iyer:** Iyer scored 650 runs for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 and captained the team to the final. However, his chances of playing in the Asia Cup 2025 may be slim. India’s middle order is loaded with talent, including Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh, potentially leading to Iyer’s exclusion.
**Sai Sudharsan:** Sudharsan had a standout IPL 2025, scoring 759 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 156.17, which included a century and six half-centuries. He demonstrated aggressive batting against both pace and spin bowlers. Experience will likely be favored for the number three position in the T20 format. Tilak Varma, despite his youth, has more international cricket experience than Sudharsan. It’s possible that Tilak Varma or Suryakumar Yadav will be selected at number three, leaving Sudharsan to wait for his chance.
**Jasprit Bumrah:** Bumrah has been plagued by injuries, leading to careful management of his workload. He performed well in the IPL. In the five-match Test series against England, Bumrah played only three matches.
He may be rested for the Asia Cup, as India will play a two-match Test series against the West Indies immediately afterward. Given Bumrah’s all-format importance for India, the Indian board will likely want the fast bowler to participate more in the Test format.
