Former Indian cricketer and now expert Madan Lal has expressed his surprise that all-rounder Hardik Pandya wasn’t appointed vice-captain for the 2025 Asia Cup. The cricketer-turned analyst, however, backed the selectors’ decision to bring back Shubman Gill, who made his comeback to the T20Is for the first time since July 2024. The 25-year-old Gill will serve as a deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in the 20-over continental tournament.
The 1983 World Cup winner further questioned the selectors for ignoring Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15-member India squad expressing surprise that the southpaw should have been in the 15 and not in the 5 reserves that were also released.
Madan Lal’s Views on the Indian Asia Cup Squad.Â
Speaking to ANI, the 75-year-old Madan Lal said: “(On Gill) I agree with them. I am with the selectors… I don’t know why Hardik Pandya has been removed. But Gill is a good choice as he is performing well. In the coming time, it is possible that Gill will play in all three formats.”
He further added: “Sometimes you feel surprised that a player like Yashasvi Jaiswal is not in the team. Jaiswal, anyway plays attacking cricket. He even plays brilliantly in Test matches. I don’t know, they’ve given him rest or they are looking at something, and like that.”Â
Just to note, Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill were appointed as India’s captain and vice-captain ahead of the T20I series in Sri Lanka in July 2024. Axar Patel then replaced Gill as vice-captain for the five-match T20I series against England in January-February 2025. The Men in Blue didn’t appoint any vice-captain for the T20I series against Bangladesh and South Africa last year.
Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal has amassed 723 runs in 23 T20is at a strike rate of 164.31 which includes a ton and five half-centuries. The southpaw also managed to score a 559 runs in 14 matches which includes six fifties in the IPL this year. He has been included among five backups for the 2025 Asia Cup and not in the main squad.
Madan Lal Praised Jasprit Bumrah ahead of Asia Cup 2025.Â
Madan Lal further expressed his happiness at India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion for the 2025 Asia Cup. He lauded him for his ability to take wickets in the powerplay and also death overs. Speaking to ANI in the same interaction. Lal said: “Don’t compare Test cricket and this cricket (T20Is) because Jasprit Bumrah has bowled well in Tests, and here, we know what he does in death overs, he bowls brilliantly. It’s crucial to provide breakthroughs in the beginning.”
Jasprit Bumrah managed to pick up 14 wickets in three Test matches that he played in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in England. It is important to note that the speedster last played a T20I in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa.
It remains to be seen how the team goes in the Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There were notable inclusions and exclusions, but such is the bench strength of this Indian team that they will pick a solid team and the team that has been picked is a solid team indeed on paper. Now, it is up to how they deliver on the cricketing field. Remember, India are playing a T20I for the first time since January and that is a huge gap for any team in a format.
But the team will get used to it and bring out the results that are expected off them. Looking at the team on paper, it is safe to say that it is India’s title to lose and they are the reigning defending champions of Asia Cup. But stranger things have happened and we cannot rule out any other team as the shortest format can bring about lot of things and upsets. Let’s see how things unfold in the month of September.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill Picked In India’s Squad As Vice-Captain.