Gautam Gambhir forced to play Kuldeep Yadav in Asia Cup 2025, Shreyas Iyer controversy erupts again
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Former Indian all-rounder Madan Lal has expressed his desire to see Kuldeep Yadav in the India playing XI for the Asia Cup, as he has vouched for his unique bowling style, urging Gautam Gambhir to play him, and has also reignited the controversy surrounding Shreyas Iyer's snub from the Asia Cup 2025.
India has remained in controversy since the Asia Cup squad announcement due to the non-selection of a few players and the selection of some players who have not shown great form recently. However, now questions have been raised about a credible playing XI for the Asia Cup.
Team India will begin their Asia Cup campaign on the 10th of September against the UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
1983 World Cup winner urges Gautam Gambhir to feature Kuldeep Yadav in the Playing XI for the Asia Cup
The 74-year-old former Indian cricketer Madan Lal has suggested that the Indian coach, Gautam Gambhir, should go in with 2 spinners and the three fast bowlers in Dubai. He has vouched for Kuldeep Yadav in the Asia Cup squad, considering he is tough to handle in T20 cricket.
“Kuldeep Yadav should be included in the team due to his unique bowling style, which is difficult to counter in T20 cricket, though the final decision depends on the wicket conditions and team combination. Two spinners and three pace bowlers should be included in Dubai," he said as quoted by ANI.
Kuldeep has not starred in a T20I game under Gautam Gambhir's reign, as he last played in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup final. He has picked 69 wickets across 40 games with an economy of 6.77. Though this time in the UAE, like the Champions Trophy, three spinners might be on Gautam Gambhir's cards with 3 pacers as well.
Former Punjab pacer notices challenges over Shreyas Iyer's snub from the Asia Cup
Former Indian all-rounder Madan Lal, who was part of India's 1983 World Cup-winning squad, has marked the absence of batter Shreyas Iyer in the Asia Cup squad and has ended it by saying that selection and decisions are in the hands of selectors and coaches.
“There is controversy over the team combination, particularly the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, with selections often decided by selectors and coaches...” remarked former World Cup winner Madan Lal.
Madan Lal noticed that Iyer was snubbed despite a stellar IPL season with 600+ runs in 17 games with 6 half-centuries to his name. He also has 1000+ T20I runs for India, but that is not impressive enough for Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar.
Madan Lal also rules out Pakistan as a challenging opposition for India
The former all-rounder Madan Lal also picked Afghanistan as the second-best side in the Asia Cup 2025, sidelining Pakistan. This impression has come over Afghanistan's performance in the last few ICC tournaments.
“India is a strong favourite [side] due to their skilled team. The unpredictability of the T20 format and the performances of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, noting that Afghanistan is currently playing well."
"Afghanistan is seen as a potential challenger to Pakistan, whose current performance and confidence levels are questioned. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are considered strong contenders,” he added.
