NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill, riding high after his stellar Test series against England, will face competition from Axar Patel for the vice-captain’s role in India’s Asia Cup T20 squad, to be played in the UAE next month.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is expected to feature in the tournament but could be rested for the first Test against the West Indies in October. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is likely to finalise the squad on August 19 or 20, pending the medical report from the Centre of Excellence, which includes skipper Suryakumar Yadav, already back in nets at Bengaluru.
The selectors are expected to maintain continuity, a formula that has worked well under Suryakumar’s captaincy. Axar was vice-captain in the recent home series against England, while Gill held the role during Suryakumar’s first assignment as full-time skipper in Sri Lanka last year.
With Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya forming a solid top five, competition for batting slots is fierce. “Abhishek is the world’s No.1 T20 batter in the latest ICC rankings, Samson had a stellar season, and Shubman’s current form can’t be ignored. The challenge is too many top-order performers,” a BCCI source said.
This congestion could limit opportunities for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan, while KL Rahul—first-choice ODI wicketkeeper—is unlikely to make the cut for T20s. Samson is almost certain as first-choice keeper, with Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel in contention for the second slot.
Hardik remains the premier seam-bowling all-rounder, while Shivam Dube is set to return. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are likely spin-bowling all-rounders, with Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav as specialist spinners.
In pace, Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are confirmed picks, with the third spot a toss-up between Prasidh Krishna (25 IPL wickets) and Harshit Rana, known for his heavy deliveries.
Likely squad: Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma/Dhruv Jurel.
