Aakash Chopra picks India’s playing XI for Asia Cup; Sanju Samson excluded

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has picked India’s strongest playing XI for the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025 campaign, which is scheduled to start on Tuesday, September 9, in the UAE.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Chopra stated that Sanju Samson couldn’t find a place in his playing XI as he went ahead with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill as the new opening pair.

Later, he picked Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma for the No.3 and No.4 roles, respectively. Moving further, he slotted Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Jitesh Sharma for the middle-order and finisher roles.

"I will start with Abhishek Sharma. Shubman Gill will be there with him. I can't find a place for Sanju Samson because Shubman Gill is the vice-captain. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma at No. 3 and No. 4, whichever way you wish. Then Hardik Pandya and Jitesh Sharma, followed by Shivam Dube. If I need a left-hander, I will promote Shivam and move Jitesh down," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Later, Axar Patel comes in at No. 8 as the bowling all-rounder, while Varun Chakravarthy is another spin bowling option. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will form the pace battery in Chopra’s strongest playing XI.

"After that, Axar Patel at No. 8. If there is an unlikely collapse, he can bat up the order. He can also bowl with the new ball in the power play if required. After that, Varun Chakaravarthy has a place in my team. I am playing two fast bowlers, one is Jasprit Bumrah and the other is Arshdeep Singh. This is my ideal XI," he noted.

Aakash Chopra’s India playing XI for Asia Cup 2025:

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

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