Asia Cup 2025 Playing XI: Shreyas Iyer Captain, Siraj And Chahal In Team Of Unpicked Players

Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj For India [Source: AFP Media]

The Indian team is gearing up for the Asia Cup 2025. BCCI has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming tournament and five reserve players.

However, since the announcement of the squad, the fans have discussed the composition. Talks have centred mainly around the snubbed Shreyas Iyer. Besides Iyer, there are a few more players who might have deserved a place in the squad but did not make the cut. In this article, we take a look at the best XI of the players who were not selected for the tournament. 

Openers

Sai Sudharsan and Prabhsimran Singh

B Sai Sudharsan finished the IPL 2025 as the highest run-scorer with 759 runs in 15 matches. He averaged 54.21 and maintained a strike rate of over 155. The best part of the campaign for the batter was that he was consistent and impactful.

B Sai Sudharsan and Prabhsimran Singh [Source: AFP Media]

The second opener in this team would be the wicket-keeper batter, Prabhsimran Singh. The dynamic batter had a wonderful IPL 2025 season, where he scored 549 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of over 160.52.

Sai and Prabhsimran would complement brilliantly at the top of the order. While the southpaw can ensure solidity, the PBKS batter can provide dynamism at the start of the innings.

Middle Order

KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, and Ashutosh Sharma

KL Rahul for DC [Source: AFP Media]

KL Rahul will be the number three in this batting line-up. The presence of Rahul provides experience and solidity to the middle-order. Besides having a great IPL season, Rahul's rich vein of form was carried forward in the England Tour too. He has the form and momentum to be a crucial player in this line-up.

One of the key parts of the PBKS' success in IPL 2025 was their skipper, Shreyas Iyer. The batter showed great consistency with the bat and displayed exemplary leading skills. The adaptibility of Iyer makes him a great part of the composition. Shreyas is the number four in this batting line-up and will also be the leader of the team.

Another important part of the PBKS IPL 2025 campaign was Nehal Wadhera. The southpaw scored 369 runs in 16 matches at an average of 30.75, while maintaining a strike rate of 145.84. Throughout the tournament, he displayed the ability to pull his team out of pressure and bat in challenging situations. Also, his presence keeps the left-right combination going in this batting line-up.

Nehal Wadhera and Asutosh Sharma [Source: AFP Media]

The DC batter played the role of a perfect finisher in IPL 2025. In the first match of the campaign, Ashutosh Sharma displayed his abilities as a finisher. Besides, he has shown previously that he is the perfect man under pressure. Asutosh Sharma could be the ideal floater in this batting line-up.

Bowlers

Krunal Pandya, Sai Kishore, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj

Krunal Pandya was an important part of the RCB title run. The all-rounder gave above-average performances during the IPL 2025. His presence in the line-up gives dynamism and depth to both batting and bowling.

Sai Kishore has been a revelation as a spinner in the T20 format. The left-arm orthodox spinner picked up 19 wickets in 15 matches in IPL 2025. Besides, his ability to bowl at any stage of a T20 game makes him a crucial presence in the team.

Sai Kishore And Khaleel Ahmed [Source: AFP Media]

Yuzvendra Chahal has always been interpreted as a wicket-taker in the middle-overs. Although he did not have a great IPL 2025, Chahal, with his experience and striking ability, can be a crucial part of this team.

Recently, Mohammed Siraj displayed his abilities as a lead pacer for India. In the absence of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah on this side, Siraj would be the biggest weapon for the team in the pace department. 

While CSK had their worst season in IPL 2025, Khaleel Ahmed was one of their few positives from the campaign. In 14 matches, he picked up 15 wickets while having an economy of over 9. Although the numbers are not impressive, Khaleel Ahmed emerged as a wicket-taker with the new ball. Besides, he can also bowl in the death, giving flexibility to the plans of the captain.

India's Playing XI Of Unselected Players In Asia Cup 2025

Sai Sudharsan
Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
KL Rahul
Shreyas Iyer (c)
Nehal Wadhera
Asutosh Sharma
Krunal Pandya
Sai Kishore
Yuzvendra Chahal
Khaleel Ahmed
Mohammed Siraj

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