Whereas all the main target is on Shubman Gill’s spot in India’s T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025, there might be a notable omission among the many all-rounders. Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes there is no such thing as a area for India’s T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder Shivam Dube within the Asia Cup 2025 crew if the selectors determine to go along with Shreyas Iyer, which they need to.
Ashwin feels Shivam Dube, who has been a mainstay in India’s T20I squad for practically two years—he featured in India’s XI in each match of the T20 World Cup final 12 months—doesn’t match within the scheme of issues within the Asia Cup.
Ashwin mentioned Shreyas Iyer, who had a superb IPL, scoring 604 runs at a strike price of 175, main the Punjab Kings to the finals for the primary time since 2014, is the most effective candidate to bat at No.3 in India’s T20I XI, adopted by Tilak Varma and captain Suryakumar Yadav, who interchange based mostly on the state of affairs of the match.
If that’s the case, Dube would not match into the XI, as Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel will take up the all-rounders’ spots.
‘Shivam Dube doesn’t have a spot in India’s Asia Cup squad’: Ashwin
“Shreyas at 3. Surya and Tilak can float. Surya and Tilak can change between 4 and 5. In case you are bringing Shreyas Iyer on the scheme of issues, then Shivam Dube would not have a spot. He would not have a spot. He generally is a backup place. Which we are able to focus on. As a result of if Shreyas Iyer, Surya and Tilak, in the event that they kind your high 5, then it’s 6 and seven. 6 and seven is a block. Akshar Patel and Hardik Pandya. There isn’t any debate in that,” Ashwin mentioned on his YouTube channel, ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
Dube scored 357 runs in 14 matches for CSK in IPL 2025 however his strike price of 132.22 was his lowest in 4 years.
Since Sanju Samson is kind of confirmed because the first-choice keeper-batter, Ashwin mentioned the backup keeper’s spot may go to Jitesh Sharma. The RCB right-hander performs the function of a finisher, additional proving Ashwin’s level of there being no spot for Dube within the XI.
“We have now despatched Sanju up (the order). So, we should focus on who’s the backup keeper. There are various candidates for backup keeper. Final time, Dhruv Jhurel was there. KL Rahul is there. Rishabh Pant, I’m not certain if he’s recovered.
However on one hand, the true individual that I feel goes to stroll into this Indian crew is Jitesh Sharma. As per his IPL, and the best way he batted, and he can play the function of a finisher. If Jitesh Sharma is your backup keeper, then Shivam Dube goes out of the window.
Shivam Dube can’t come. If Jitesh Sharma goes to be part of it, Shivam Dubey is out. Shivam Dube can’t are available.
As a result of Jitesh Sharma will handle ending. Which implies, Jitesh Sharma turns into your backup wicket-keeper. Which is your fifteenth slot,” Ashwin added.
The CSK veteran mentioned Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy make up for the spinner’s spots. “So, at quantity 8, it’s between Washington Sundar and Kuldeep. You already know my opinion. Kuldeep Yadav at 8. So, Washington Sundar goes to quantity 14. At quantity 9, Varun Chakraborty. It’s essential to have seen in TNPL, the best way he batted. He has labored a bit on batting.
“At 10, Bumrah. And at 11, Ashneep Singh. 11 is over. 14 and 15 are additionally over.”
