Kris Srikkanth doesn’t see Shubman Gill in playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

Former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth reckons Shubman Gill won’t be part of the team’s playing XI in the Asia Cup. According to reports, Gill might not be part of the Asia Cup squad. Gill recently led India from the front in the five-match Test series against England.

The Indian captain scored 754 runs in five Test matches against England at an average of 75.40. Furthermore, Gill scored 650 runs in 15 matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.87 and played a key role in taking the team to the playoffs stages. Gill’s last T20I appearance came against Sri Lanka in July 2024 and he scored 39 runs off 37 balls.

However, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have performed consistently as openers for India in T20I cricket and they are expected to be backed in the team as first-choice openers. Moreover, Yashasvi Jaiswal is waiting in the wings as he was the backup opener in T20 World Cup 2024.

Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “If Shubman Gill was the captain [in T20Is], he would have automatically come into the playing XI. Then, there would be no Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal or Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Gill would have opened straightaway. But, Gill wasn’t part of the T20 World Cup. Where does he come in suddenly?

“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.

Gill will lead the North Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.

Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel will announce India’s Asia Cup squad on Tuesday.