Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin stated that India had to include both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy in the squad for the Asia Cup 2025. The 106-Test veteran said extra batting at number eight isn’t needed with Bumrah, Arshdeep, Hardik, and Axar in the lineup alongside the wrist spinners.
Ashwin also highlighted that Kuldeep and Varun had played together in the latter stages of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which India won without losing a single match. He shared these views on his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat.
“I feel sometimes we could see someone like Bumrah getting rested, some of the others could also get rested. There could be rotation. Sanju Samson could get to play a few matches. But in all seriousness, if you are playing a knockout match, I feel all the slots are filled. You have to play Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together.”
“I don’t think there is even a debate on that. They have to play. Bumrah, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, and Varun Chakravarthy, if they are your four bowlers with Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel to do the rest, that is one killer of a team. You don’t need the batting insurance at number eight.”
Ashwin doubts Samson and Gill will feature together in the XI
Ravichandran Ashwin believes Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill might not make India’s playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025. He pointed out that Samson lacks enough experience batting below the fourth position, making Jitesh Sharma the only suitable option outside the top order.
“No, I don’t think that is possible. If Samson has to play, he must open the batting, which seems unlikely. If not, he would need to play as a wicketkeeper-finisher—a role he hasn’t done so far. Until now, he has only opened or batted at number three. Beyond number four, he hasn’t batted recently. Only Jitesh Sharma has played the finisher role. So, if Samson isn’t opening, Jitesh is the only option. I don’t think there’s any debate here.”
“The biggest question mark in my head is whether Sanju Samson will play or not. His Kerala Premier League side, Kochi Blue Tigers, won the tournament under his brother Sally Samson. That was good news. Can we get some good news here? Maybe not. Shubman Gill will open, and Jitesh Sharma will play in the middle-order. Bringing Sanju into the middle-order might disturb him too much,” Ashwin said.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
