Aakash Chopra picks India’s playing 11 for 2025 Asia Cup, no place for Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the 2025 Asia Cup. The renowned commentator didn’t include Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav in his team. Chopra picked Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill as India’s openers.

Abhishek is the number one T20I batter, whereas Gill was in fine form on the England tour, and his place in the final XI is almost certain as he has been named as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy. 

Chopra picked Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma and Shivam Dube as the other batters in the team.

“I will start with Abhishek Sharma. Shubman Gill will be there with him. I can’t find a place for Sanju Samson because Shubman Gill is the vice-captain. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma at No. 3 and No. 4, whichever way you wish. Then Hardik Pandya and Jitesh Sharma, followed by Shivam Dube. If I need a left-hander, I will promote Shivam and move Jitesh down,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator picked Varun Chakravarthy ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI and backed Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh as the two pacers.

“After that, Axar Patel at No. 8. If there is an unlikely collapse, he can bat up the order. He can also bowl with the new ball in the powerplay if required. After that, Varun Chakaravarthy has a place in my team. I am playing two fast bowlers, one is Jasprit Bumrah and the other is Arshdeep Singh. This is my ideal XI,” he observed.

The former Delhi cricketer added that the Indian team seems to tick all the right boxes in the shortest format.

“If you look at the discipline, I am talking about skill set, and then the experience, expertise and options, you will have to say that this team seems to be perfect in all areas. I feel Shubman Gill will be seen opening with Abhishek Sharma. So a right-hander and a left-hander,” he said.

Speaking on Gill, Chopra said the right-hander has delivered consistently in the IPL. Gill scored 650 runs in IPL 2025 for the Gujarat Titans.

“It might be a topic of discussion whether Shubman Gill cuts it or not in T20 cricket, but the IPL numbers are excellent, and this guy has shown that as soon as you throw some challenges at him, he is going to lap it up. He showed that by doing it in England, scored 750 runs. He passed the test with flying colors,” Chopra elaborated.

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai.