Asia Cup 2025 Gill’s Comeback May Cost Rinku Singh His Spot
The Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement on Tuesday is expected to pose tough choices for Ajit Agarkar’s selection panel. The debate is centered on Shubman Gill expected return and Rinku Singh uncertain future in the 15-member squad.
Rinku rose to fame in the 2022 IPL with his incredible five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal for Kolkata Knight Riders, sealing his reputation as a reliable finisher. Yet, his impact has waned. In IPL 2024, he played just 113 balls, followed by 134 in 2025, prompting questions about his current value to the national team.
Even during Gautam Gambhir’s tenure with KKR in 2024, Rinku’s use was minimal, making him far from a guaranteed pick for the Asia Cup or the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.
Automatic Selections Leave Little Room
“If all are fit and available, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (batter-keeper), Tilak Varma, skipper Surya Kumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are automatic selections in top-five,” a former national selector told PTI.
With Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal both boasting strong IPL numbers, the competition intensifies. “We often hear people saying, one should pick so and so, but no one would be able to definitively tell us ‘in place of whom’? Shreyas Iyer has 600 runs at a strike-rate of 180 but he bats in top four. Where is the place for him? Even as you include Shubman as he is flavour of the season, where do you cut corners,” the selector explained.
Rinku’s Role Faces the Axe
He further added, “You can’t disturb your top five right now and also pick Shubman. And if you pick Shubman now, obviously the Test captain and IPL team captain won’t sit out. So where do you make the compromise? I only see Rinku’s spot being iffy as he isn’t required as much some of the top order batters. And mind it, we aren’t even talking about Jaiswal.”
The official squad will be named on August 19, marking India’s first action since the Test series against England. Gill’s consistent run as Gujarat Titans captain across the 2024 and 2025 IPL seasons strengthens his selection case. Meanwhile, Gambhir’s preference for multi-dimensional players adds further doubt to Rinku Singh’s Asia Cup hopes.
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