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Asia Cup 2025: Predicted playing XI for Team India (Source: X)

India announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 followed by a media press conference held in Mumbai at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai on Tuesday, August 19. Chairperson of the senior men's selection committee Ajit Agarkar and T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav disclosed the team.

The eight-team tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates. The Men in Blue are slotted in the Group A of the event alongside Pakistan, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Ever since the announcement of the team, cricket fans on the internet have been wondering what the final Playing XI could look like. So, CricTracker has analysed India's most likely Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025, which could help them win the trophy this year as well.

India most-likely Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025 Top-order Batters: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vc), Tilak Varma Shubman Gill (Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

The management will be keen on going ahead with the left-right duo of Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill which will mean Sanju Samson will become the backup opener. While Abhishek was not really amongst the runs in IPL 2025, he struck at a whopping 193.39, and his form with the Indian team has helped his cause.

Gill is high on confidence and is coming on the back of a stellar Test series against England, both as player and captain. Tilak Varma has been active with Hampshire in List A cricket and the County Championship. He is another attacking option up top.

Middle-order Batters: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk) Suryakumar Yadav (Source: X)

Skipper Suryakumar Yadavvery well possesses the game to accelerate through gears. He is coming off a remarkable IPL 2025 campaign. Suryakumar broke the record for securing the most 25-plus consecutive scores, with 16 of them in this year's IPL, making him a force to be reckoned with in the Indian dressing room.

Jitesh Sharma has been confirmed as the first-choice wicketkeeper of the side. Slotting in at No. 5, Jitesh has proved that he could provide some late bursts with the bat if needed. His contributions were vital in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title-winning season, where he also captained them in a few matches, adding to his overall qualities.

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel Hardik Pandya (Source: Mark Brake/ICC via Getty Images)

With 114 T20Is under his belt, Hardik Pandyahas more than enough experience to turn any contest on its head with both bat and ball. Other than his hard-hitting prowess, the all-rounder can provide utility by chipping in with four overs with the ball as well.

Axar Patel had a decent all-round IPL 2025 season, where he also captained the Delhi Capitals. An important aspect which was established during the T20 World Cup 2024 was how Axar could be floated anywhere in the batting order as required. His left-arm spin will be expected to play a crucial role on the tracks of the UAE.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy Varun Chakravarthy (Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

A wave of criticism had floated around after Kuldeep Yadav did not feature in any of the five matches against England in the Test series. The left-arm wrist-spinner is coming off his best IPL season in terms of economy rate (7.07) out of all the nine editions he has been a part of.

Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was provided adequate rest during the England series too, playing only three out of five matches in a bid to manage his workload. His death-bowling skills have always proved effective in the shortest format. Bumrah's change-ups will likely play an important part.

Arshdeep Singh, much like Kuldeep, had his best IPL season in 2025, in terms of the number of wickets taken though (21 wickets in 16 innings). Arshdeep's knack of moving the new ball both ways will be quite beneficial while playing under lights.

Varun Chakravarthy's performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20I series against England preceding the 50-over tournament was commendable to say the least. He has been in the thick of 20-over cricket by playing the Tamil Nadu Premier League after a 17-wicket IPL 2025.

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