New Delhi (Economy India): The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 will mark the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket. For the first time, Team India will step onto the field without legends Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, all of whom retired from T20 internationals after lifting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy.
Shubman Gill will be expected to fill the massive shoes of Virat Kohli at the top order, while Suryakumar Yadav has taken over the captaincy mantle from Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, all-rounder Axar Patel has emerged as the natural replacement for Jadeja.
End of an Era – Kohli, Rohit, Jadeja Step Away
The T20 World Cup final against South Africa on June 29, 2024, proved to be the last T20I for Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja. India ended its 17-year wait for the trophy, and the farewell of three stalwarts turned the victory into an emotional moment.
- Virat Kohli: Second-highest run-scorer in T20Is, Player of the Match in the World Cup final with 76 runs, and three-time tournament top-scorer.
- Rohit Sharma: India’s highest run-getter in T20Is, five centuries, and the only player to win the T20 World Cup as both player (2007) and captain (2024).
- Ravindra Jadeja: Six World Cups, 74 matches, 54 wickets, 515 runs, and countless match-changing fielding efforts.
Their absence leaves not just a statistical void but also an emotional one for Indian fans.
Shubman Gill: India’s New Batting Mainstay
Shubman Gill, just 25, now shoulders the responsibility once carried by Kohli. Having played 21 T20Is so far, Gill has scored 578 runs at a strike rate of 139, including one century and three fifties.
Promoted as India’s vice-captain for the Asia Cup, Gill is likely to bat at No. 3 or open the innings, depending on team strategy. His ability to anchor innings under pressure will be crucial to India’s campaign.
Suryakumar Yadav: Leading India’s Next Chapter
Suryakumar Yadav, already regarded as one of the most explosive batters in the T20 format, has now taken charge as India’s full-time T20I captain.
- Record as Captain: 22 matches, 18 wins.
- Career Stats: 83 matches, 2598 runs at a strike rate of 167, with 4 centuries and 21 fifties.
With Abhishek Sharma cementing his spot as opener (535 runs at 193.84 strike rate in just 17 matches), Surya will focus on middle-order acceleration while managing leadership responsibilities.
Axar Patel: The Successor to Ravindra Jadeja
In the absence of Jadeja, Axar Patel has stepped up as India’s premier spin all-rounder. Already proven in white-ball formats, Axar’s numbers (71 matches, 71 wickets, and 535 runs) highlight his dual value.
Notably, he was instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup final win, stitching a crucial partnership with Kohli. The only challenge? Jadeja’s brilliance in the field remains unmatched.
Pakistan’s Own Transition – Babar and Rizwan Dropped
Interestingly, Pakistan too enters the Asia Cup with a restructured squad. Former skipper Babar Azam and opener Mohammad Rizwan were dropped due to poor strike rates, despite being among the format’s top run-scorers.
- Babar Azam: 128 T20Is, 4223 runs at a strike rate of 129.
- Mohammad Rizwan: 106 T20Is, 3414 runs at a strike rate of 125.
Replacements include Mohammad Haris, Hassan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, and Sahibzada Farhan, signaling a generational shift similar to India’s.
Possible Playing XIs for Asia Cup
India:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
Pakistan:
Salman Agha (C), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem/Abrar Ahmed.
Asia Cup Legacy – Why Format Keeps Changing
Since its inception in 1984, the Asia Cup has been held 16 times, alternating between ODI and T20 formats depending on the upcoming ICC event. The 17th edition, starting September 9, 2025, will be in the T20 format, serving as a precursor to next year’s ICC tournaments.
Key Questions for Asia Cup 2025
- Can Shubman Gill replicate Virat Kohli’s consistency?
- Will Suryakumar Yadav’s aggressive style match Rohit Sharma’s legacy as captain?
- Can Axar Patel truly replace Jadeja’s all-round presence, especially in fielding?
- How will Pakistan’s new-look squad fare without their most experienced duo?
The Asia Cup 2025 promises to be more than just a regional competition—it will be a battle of legacies, transitions, and the first big test for the next generation of cricketing superstars.
(Economy India)
