Irfan Pathan denies guaranteeing MS Dhoni's man a spot in India Playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shared his predicted playing XI for the team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, for the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup. Pathan chose to break the successful opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, replacing the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter with the Indian Test captain.

Samson opened the innings after the 2024 T20 World Cup and seized the opportunity. The right-handed batter scored three T20I centuries at the top order. However, his momentum dipped during a lackluster home series against England earlier in the year. Gill’s return to the squad put his place in jeopardy.

Irfan Pathan Reveals Predicted Playing XI for India in Asia Cup 2025

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan backed Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill as openers in India’s playing XI for the 2025 Asia Cup. The former all-rounder picked Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav at the No. 3 and No. 4 positions, respectively.

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Pathan included Sanju Samson as a wicketkeeper-batter but demoted him to the No. 5 position. While Samson had an outstanding year as an opener, his performance at No. 5 has been less impressive, averaging under 21 in five T20I innings.

Samson also struggled while batting in the middle order in the Kerala Cricket League. Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma is accustomed to batting in the middle order and played several impactful innings as a finisher for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025.

Irfan Pathan Picks Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh to Lead Pace Attack, Denies Guaranteeing Shivam Dube a Spot

Irfan Pathan picked Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel in India’s middle order at No. 6 and 7. Pathan stated that either Shivam Dube or Kuldeep Yadav would feature in the playing XI, depending on pitch conditions.

The 2007 World Cup-winning cricketer selected Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy at Nos. 9, 10, and 11. Bumrah and Arshdeep will lead the pace attack, while Kuldeep provides a spin option.

Irfan Pathan's Team India playing XI for the 2025 Asia Cup:

Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy

Shubman Gill Can Do the Work the Great Virat Kohli Has Done - Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan said that Shubman Gill could replicate Virat Kohli’s impact in T20 cricket. Gill has been absent from T20Is since India’s Sri Lanka tour in July 2024, but Pathan added that his style and ability to anchor innings make him a valuable asset.

"Shubman Gill can do the work the great Virat Kohli has done for many years. Virat Kohli has played cricket in his own style. He tried to play long innings and found his own way in T20 cricket. If you six-hitters, he is not Chris Gayle, is Virat Kohli, but if you look at value, he had a lot of valuein T20s. I see Shubman Gill as a player of the mold," said Pathan (via the aforementioned source).

Shubman Gill has scored 578 runs in 21 T20Is at an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of 139.27. However, he enters the Asia Cup on the back of a stellar Test series in England. He amassed 754 runs at an average above 75, including four centuries.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will begin their 2025 Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Also read: Shreyas Iyer to replace Rohit Sharma!! Captaincy era begins vs Australia