India's Squad Announcement for Asia Cup 2025: Key Changes and Updates

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to kick off next month in the UAE, and the Indian cricket team has already been announced. The squad is expected to depart for Dubai shortly. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a significant decision that may impact some players.

During a press conference, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed the team lineup, which also included the names of four reserve players. These reserves are typically included to step in if any main team member gets injured, and they usually travel with the team. However, for this Asia Cup, the BCCI has opted not to send the reserve players along with the main squad, as reported by a news agency.

When a senior BCCI official was asked whether the reserve players would accompany the team to the Asia Cup, the response was clear: the standby players will not travel to Dubai with the main squad.

This decision reflects the team's management's preference for traveling with a smaller group. If a replacement is needed, the standby players will be sent to Dubai at that time. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been selected as a replacement opener. The team already includes openers like Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson, so Jaiswal will only get a chance if one of them is injured.

A similar situation applies to Prasidh Krishna, who will only get an opportunity if Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, or Harshit Rana are injured. Notably, India has announced a 15-member squad, even though a 17-member team was expected for the Asia Cup.