SKY Told to Focus on India’s Strategy, Ignore Shubman Gill as Asia Cup Squad Sparks Debate

The Asia Cup is set to start in less than a week, marking India’s return to cricket after a month-long break following their draw against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Shubman Gill, fully recovered from illness, will join captain Suryakumar Yadav as India prepares for next year’s T20 World Cup. India has been in strong form in T20Is, winning 22 out of 26 matches last year, and with the World Cup coming back to home soil after 10 years, the team will aim to defend their title.

Key Rivals in the Tournament

India’s main tests are expected against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Although Afghanistan and Bangladesh can surprise stronger teams, India looks too powerful to be caught off guard. However, former all-rounder Madan Lal has some tips for captain Suryakumar Yadav. Madan Lal, the 1983 World Cup winner and former India coach, feels Kuldeep Yadav should be part of the starting eleven. Although the left-arm wrist spinner did not play in the five-Test series in England, Lal wants Suryakumar Yadav’s team to give him the opportunity that was not given under Gill.

Madan Lal’s Advice on Team Selection

According to Lal, Kuldeep’s rare bowling style can be a game-changer in T20 cricket and is not easy for batters to handle. He said the final decision would depend on pitch conditions and team balance, but he recommended using two spinners and three fast bowlers in Dubai.

Debate Around Squad Choices

When India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 was revealed last month, Shreyas Iyer’s selection sparked mixed reactions among cricket experts, including Lal, who called it a controversial decision. Still, he believes the Indian side can move past off-field noise and focus on winning the Asia Cup for the ninth time.

Teams to Watch Out For

Lal said India remains the top favourite because of its depth and skill, but the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the strong performances of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan cannot be ignored. He pointed out that Afghanistan is in good form and could challenge Pakistan, whose recent performance and confidence have been under question. He also stressed that team combinations are ultimately decided by selectors and coaches, even though choices like Iyer’s inclusion continue to raise debate.