Former India opener and ex-chief selector Kris Srikkanth believes Shubman Gill may not find a spot in the playing XI for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Questioning the buzz around Shubman Gill’s T20I comeback, the 1983 World Cup winner reminded fans that the Indian Test captain did not play in the previous T20 World Cup and was also absent from the five-match home series against England earlier this year.
The Team India squad for Asia Cup 2025 is expected to be announced in Mumbai on Tuesday, August 19. According to reports, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are the front-runners to open the innings. However, multiple sources suggest Gill could return to the T20I setup following his batting heroics in the recent five-match Test series in England.
Sharing his views on his YouTube channel Cheeky Cheeka, Srikkanth noted that while Gill might make the squad, his inclusion in the starting XI is doubtful. The former selector stressed that Gill’s current role as Test captain does not necessarily translate into a place in India’s T20I playing XI at this stage.
“He was not even in the T20I team against England. Yes, he has been
doing very well recently, but we can’t make selection calls like that,” the
65-year-old went on to add.
Shubman Gill’s Test Heroics and T20I Record
Shubman Gill has been in the spotlight ever since he was named India’s Test captain for the England tour following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from red-ball cricket. The 25-year-old opener enjoyed a dream series in England, piling up 754 runs in five Tests at an outstanding average of 75.40. His run tally included four centuries, with a career-best 269, alongside breaking several notable batting records in the process.
While Gill has excelled in Tests, his T20 International career has also seen bright moments. He made his T20I debut in January 2023 against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Since then, he has featured in 21 T20Is, scoring 578 runs at an average of 30.42 and an impressive strike rate of 139.27. His T20I record includes one century and three fifties, with his highest score of 126 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad (February 2023)— a whirlwind knock off just 63 balls, laced with 12 fours and seven sixes.
Gill’s dual success across formats keeps him in the conversation for India’s future across all formats, even as debates continue about his place in the Asia Cup 2025 T20I squad.