Kris Srikkanth questions squad balance
Former India selector Kris Srikkanth criticised the Asia Cup 2025 squad, calling it a step backwards for the T20 World Cup.
Former India opener and ex-selector Kris Srikkanth has strongly criticised India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, saying the selection lacked vision and would not be good enough to defend the T20 World Cup title next year. Soon after the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced the squad on Tuesday, Srikkanth shared his concerns on his YouTube channel.
“We might win the Asia Cup with this team, but there is no chance of winning the T20 World Cup with this bunch,” Srikkanth said, as quoted by Sportskeeda. “Are you going to take this team to the World Cup? Is this the preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is hardly six months away? They have gone backwards. Axar Patel has been axed from vice-captaincy. I don’t know how Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana have come in. IPL is considered the main criteria for selection, but the selectors seem to have considered performances before that.”
His primary concern was the inclusion of Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Harshit Rana. Rinku, who excelled in IPL 2023, has been seen as the team’s designated opener. Dube and Rana earned their call-ups after consistent runs in IPL 2024. However, all three have struggled with form in the latest 2025 edition.
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Srikkanth also expressed disapproval of the decision to remove Axar Patel from the vice-captain’s role and hand it to Shubman Gill, who has not featured in T20 cricket since 2024. The former selector further highlighted the lack of a reliable number five in the batting order. “Who will bat at No. 5? Five has to be either Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma or Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh. Hardik Pandya usually bats at No. 5, so now, Patel Axar cannot bat at six. I can’t understand how they picked Dube. Yashasvi Jaiswal have performed in international cricket and IPL as well. What does he do?” Srikkanth said.
In India’s most recent T20 match, Shivam Dube batted at number five and scored 30 off 13 deliveries as India posted 247/9. Yet Srikkanth feels the role needs a more stable option going into a major tournament. India will begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against the UAE.
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Last Updated on August 20, 2025
