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"He Is An All-Format Player": Harbhajan Bats For Shubman Gill's Place In India's Asia Cup Squad

Jatin

Harbhajan Singh and Shubman Gill [Source: @SmrutisikhaR, @sujeetsuman1991/x.com]Harbhajan Singh and Shubman Gill [Source: @SmrutisikhaR, @sujeetsuman1991/x.com]

The Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement is around the corner and all eyes are on one big question: will Test captain Shubman Gill make the cut in India’s T20I side? With the batting order already loaded with firepower, Gill’s inclusion has sparked a debate but former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has thrown his weight firmly behind the youngster, insisting the young batter’s name must be there.

Harbhajan Singh Wants Selectors To Pick Shubman Gill For Asia Cup 2025

India’s current T20I batting line-up looks like a six-hitting factory. Abhishek Sharma (193.84 strike rate), Suryakumar Yadav (167.07), Yashasvi Jaiswal (164.31), Hardik Pandya (141.67), Tilak Varma (155.07) and Sanju Samson (152.38) have all been striking at frightening speeds.

In comparison, Shubman Gill sits at 139.27 after 21 T20Is. Numbers don’t exactly shout fireworks but Harbhajan feels the story isn’t that simple.

“In the T20 format, it’s important to understand that it’s not just about big hitting. If Shubman decides to attack, he can match anyone, because he is a very solid player with strong basics. A batter with such a strong foundation can score runs in any format," Harbhajan told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive chat.

The IPL Factor

Gill may not be known as a swashbuckler like SKY or Jaiswal but his IPL record speaks volumes. Season after season, he has piled up runs and even grabbed the Orange Cap. Harbhajan Singh reminded everyone of that very fact.

"If you look at the IPL, Shubman has scored runs every season. He has worn the Orange Cap — and that doesn’t happen by chance. And it’s not like he bats only at a strike rate of 120 or 130; he can also bat at a strike rate of 160," Bhajji said.

He added that while the team already has explosive options like Abhishek, SKY and Tilak, Gill’s ability to anchor innings and shift gears makes him indispensable.

"Yes, we do have players like Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, but you cannot undermine or underestimate Shubman Gill. He is a very talented batter who can adapt to any format. He is an all-format player. In my opinion, he can play T20s and even dominate the format," he explained.

Harbhajan’s India Squad For Asia Cup 2025

When asked to name his 15 for the Asia Cup, Harbhajan didn’t hesitate. His picks included both youth and experience.

"I think the squad should be: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav – the captain, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag for the middle order, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Asia Cup 2025 is unique because for the first time in nearly two decades, India will enter a multi-team tournament without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The stalwarts who lifted the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 under Rohit’s leadership have stepped aside and paved the way for fresh faces.

As India prepares for a new dawn, the selectors face a tough call. With six hard-hitters already firing, Gill’s strike rate may raise eyebrows. But as Harbhajan Singh argues, cricket isn’t just about swinging for the fences. Sometimes, you need a batter who can bat long, adapt and rescue the team when the chips are down.

The ball is now in the selectors’ court. Will they back Harbhajan’s words and give Shubman Gill a ticket to the Asia Cup 2025? Only time will tell!