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Surprising Indian Players Who Might Not Get A Single Game To Play In Asia Cup 2025

Rajgeeta Yadav

Harshit Rana [Source: AFP]Harshit Rana [Source: AFP]

As Team India prepares for the Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format in the UAE, their campaign begins on September 10 against the hosts. India has already announced their 15-member squad, but the real curiosity lies in who will actually make the playing XI. Since only eleven can play, some players might end up warming the bench throughout the group stage and even the Super Four matches. 

In this article, we look at the surprise names who might not get a chance to play a single game for India.

Sanju Samson

First on the list is wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. Although he has been performing well in T20Is, the inclusion of Shubman Gill as vice-captain has made Samson’s role uncertain. Notably, over the past year, Samson has been excellent, scoring three centuries in just 10 T20I innings. Yet, the team management might still leave him out, which would be a big disappointment given his current form.

Meanwhile, Gill is expected to open, while the second wicketkeeper, Jitesh Sharma, seems to have an edge because of his strong middle-order performances. 

However, it is important to that it is not all over for Samson, if Sharma struggles in the first game against UAE, India might bring Samson back into the side. 

Harshit Rana

Next is pacer Harshit Rana, a young fast bowler who is part of India’s white-ball plans. However, his chances of playing are slim since India already has frontline quicks like Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. The likely combination for India will be three pacers and two spinners, which pushes Rana down the pecking order. 

So far, Rana has played only one T20I, where he impressed with figures of 3 for 33 against England as a concussion substitute in January 2025. The only way he makes the XI is if India decides to rest Bumrah or play with four seamers on a batting-friendly pitch.

Rinku Singh

Finally, there is Rinku Singh, the young rising star who has been making headlines in the UPT20 league. Despite his talent, he might not find space in the XI because the middle order is already packed with Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel. 

Surya is India’s most dangerous batter, Pandya provides finishing power and leadership, while Axar adds depth with both bat and ball. With such proven names ahead of him, Rinku may have to wait longer for his opportunity.