In Numbers: India's Asia Cup squad – IPL 2025 form under the spotlight

The announcement of India’s 15-member squad for the 2025 Asia Cup has sparked plenty of debate, with the elevation of Test skipper Shubman Gill as T20I vice-captain and the return of spearhead Jasprit Bumrah grabbing headlines. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!While big names like Shreyas Iyer missed out despite stellar domestic and IPL showings, the selectors appear to have leaned heavily on recent performances in the shortest format — particularly the IPL 2025 season, the last competitive T20 cricket most of these players featured in.Suryakumar Yadav and Gill lead the batting chargeCaptain Suryakumar Yadav enters the Asia Cup in red-hot form. He was sensational in IPL 2025, powering Mumbai Indians to Qualifier 2 with 717 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 167.91. His consistency, flair, and ability to dominate attacks ensured he finished second on the run charts behind only Sai Sudharsan (759).Vice-captain Gill, who shouldered leadership duties for Gujarat Titans, enjoyed a prolific season as well. The right-hander amassed 650 runs with six fifties, striking at 155.87. Gill’s run-making under pressure and recent form in England Tests has made him a natural deputy to Suryakumar in this squad.Abhishek Sharma, the big-hitting opener, has added further firepower to the lineup with 439 runs at a staggering strike rate of 193.39, including a whirlwind 141.In contrast, Tilak Varma had a modest season, managing 343 runs at 138.30 strike rate, while finishers Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh struggled to replicate their earlier form, scoring 357 and 206 runs respectively.All-rounders and spinners offer balanceAll-rounder Hardik Pandya had a steady IPL season, contributing with both bat and ball. He scored 224 runs at 163.50 while also picking up 14 wickets, underlining his importance as a finisher and sixth-bowling option. Axar Patel chipped in with useful runs (263 at 157.48), though his five wickets suggested a relatively quiet season with the ball.Among spinners, Kuldeep Yadav (15 wickets at 7.07 economy) and Varun Chakaravarthy (17 wickets at 7.66 economy) were effective in containing batters.Bumrah’s return strengthens bowlingThe biggest boost for India is the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who looked in fine rhythm during IPL 2025. The ace pacer claimed 18 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of just 6.67, showcasing his trademark yorkers and control at the death. Arshdeep Singh was also among the wickets, finishing with 21 scalps, though his higher economy (8.88) could be an area of concern. The third pacer Harshit Rana’s high economy (10.18) offset his 15 wickets in the season.Strong bench strength in reservesIndia’s reserves underline the depth at their disposal. Prasidh Krishna bagged the Purple Cap with 25 wickets, while Yashasvi Jaiswal hammered 559 runs at a brisk 159.71. Riyan Parag (393 runs) and Dhruv Jurel (333 runs) further strengthened their cases for future selections.Selection debates lingerDespite this depth, the omission of Shreyas Iyer (604 runs at 175.07 strike rate) — an IPL finalist and proven leader — continues to divide opinion. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar pointed to the “abundance of T20 talent,” a reminder that even consistent performers are not guaranteed a place in India’s crowded T20 landscape.As Team India gears up for the Asia Cup starting September 9, the players’ IPL 2025 performances suggest a squad brimming with form and firepower. The bigger test will be whether they can carry this momentum onto the international stage — especially against arch-rivals Pakistan and in UAE conditions that often favour spin and tactical nous.