New Delhi, Aug 11: With less than a month to go for the Asia Cup 2025, India’s build-up to the tournament is as much about medical reports as it is about match preparation. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav are both undergoing fitness monitoring at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, with selectors set to finalise the squad in the coming days.
Pandya, 31, will undergo his fitness assessment on August 11 and 12 after weeks of intensive training in Mumbai.
His all-round contributions proved decisive in India’s triumphs at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and his availability will be critical for the UAE campaign.
Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has already completed his evaluation between July 27 and 29.
The Punjab Kings captain, who led them to the IPL 2025 final, has not played a T20I since December 2023 but remains in the reckoning due to his experience and leadership qualities.
Surya on the Comeback Trail
Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, is still recovering from sports hernia surgery performed in Munich in June.
Though not fully fit, he has resumed light batting drills, running, and strength training at the NCA.
A social media post this week showed the 717-run IPL 2025 MVP declaring, “Can’t wait to be back doing what I love.”
Since taking over as T20I captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Suryakumar has led India to 17 wins in 22 matches.
His fitness will be closely monitored, with the Asia Cup opener against UAE scheduled for September 10.
Selection Balancing Act
The selectors also face tough calls elsewhere. Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management could see him skip the Asia Cup, while Rishabh Pant is confirmed out with a toe fracture.
Reports suggest Test skipper Shubman Gill is set to return to T20Is as vice-captain, replacing Axar Patel in the role.
Spin remains another puzzle, with India rotating a long list of options — from Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi to Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav — since 2024.
The UAE’s surfaces may influence how many slow bowlers are included.
High Stakes in a Sensitive Setting
Initially under threat after the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, the Asia Cup will proceed from September 9 to 28 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi under a hybrid hosting arrangement. India, Pakistan, and UAE form Group A, with the possibility of up to three India-Pakistan encounters.
The last time the tournament was played in the T20 format, in 2022, India failed to make the final.
This time, the political backdrop, the uncertainty over key players, and the looming prospect of multiple Indo-Pak clashes have raised the stakes considerably.
The final squad announcement is expected within a week — but before that, the focus will remain firmly on fitness clearances from Bengaluru.
As the countdown to September 9 gathers pace, the spotlight on India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad has become as intense as the heat of the UAE desert that will host the matches.
The tournament arrives at a delicate juncture — politically, emotionally, and competitively — with India balancing the need to preserve its top players for future challenges against the pressure of reclaiming continental dominance.
For the selectors, every decision over the next few days will carry ripple effects, not just for the Asia Cup but also for the T20 World Cup cycle.
The fitness of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, the leadership reshuffle with Shubman Gill’s elevation, the spin combination best suited for Dubai’s conditions, and the calculated risk of playing or resting Jasprit Bumrah — all of it feeds into a bigger picture that blends sport with strategy. And then there is the intangible factor: the psychological edge. Whether India walks into a potential triple face-off with Pakistan armed with their strongest XI or a slightly experimental side could set the tone for months to come.
In a format where momentum can flip in a single over, the Asia Cup may well be remembered not just for what happens on the field, but for the boldness — or caution — shown before a ball is even bowled. (Agencies)
