T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav reportedly opposed Shubman Gill’s inclusion in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, raising questions about team strategy and selection.
However, head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors backed Gill, with the final decision overruled by the management rather than the captain.
India had a successful Asia Cup 2025 campaign in the UAE, winning all three encounters against Pakistan, including a triumph in the final under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy. However, the Men in Blue’s fantastic performances were overshadowed by off-field controversies, as the team has yet to receive its trophy.
Suryakumar Yadav Opposed Shubman Gill’s Place in Asia Cup 2025 Squad
According to a report from CricBlogger, Suryakumar Yadav opposed Shubman Gill’s inclusion in India’s squad for the T20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Suryakumar raised concerns about the batter’s compatibility with India’s aggressive T20 strategy.
The Team India captain shared his concerns with Gautam Gambhir and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee that Gill’s batting style might not complement the explosive approach the team had adopted.
Minutes before the squad announcement, Suryakumar learned that Gill had been included, which came as a surprise to him. He later accepted the decision, acknowledging that Gill’s inclusion benefits India’s long-term prospects in T20 cricket.
Gautam Gambhir Made the Call on Shubman Gill’s Return to the T20I Side
Gautam Gambhir and the selectors backed Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the India squad for the continental tournament, given his recent form, versatility across formats, and potential as a future leader.
Despite Suryakumar Yadav’s concerns, the management insisted on Gill’s return, focusing on long-term succession planning. Gill has already taken over captaincy from Rohit Sharma in ODIs and on the Test side. He is being groomed for a future role as T20 captain following the 2026 World Cup.
The Punjab batter has experience leading the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He captained the Ahmedabad-based franchise in the last two seasons but was unable to guide the team to a title.
Shubman Gill Disappointed With Bat Despite India’s Title-Winning Asia Cup Campaign
Shubman Gill has enjoyed a prolific 2025 across formats, scoring 1,563 runs for India. He emerged as the highest run-scorer during his Test captaincy debut on the England tour. However, he had a disappointing outing during the Asia Cup 2025.
The right-handed batter scored 127 runs in seven innings at an average of 21.17, without registering a half-century. Gill, who was vice-captain, contributed with important opening stands alongside Abhishek Sharma, who won Player of the Tournament.
The team management is gradually preparing Gill for future leadership roles, aiming for a smooth succession plan across formats. While Suryakumar Yadav continues to lead India’s T20 squad, the Asia Cup served as a platform to integrate Gill into a broader leadership strategy.
Gill made his debut as India’s ODI captain during the series opener against Australia in Perth on Sunday. He replaced Rohit Sharma in the role. However, the team suffered a seven-wicket loss in the clash.