Asia Cup 2025: Agarkar-Gambhir at odds over selection of Shubman Gill as vice-captain?

Only one of the two players embroiled in the “Will they, won’t they” debate could make the cut for India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. However, what happened with Shubman Gill was not just a straightforward instance of a player returning to the format. Yashasvi Jaiswal, meanwhile, missed out on selection. Multiple speculations, often contradicting one another, surfaced ahead of the squad announcement. The most recent prediction suggested that Gill might have to wait longer for his T20I comeback, with the BCCI considering Shreyas Iyer instead. But the final decision reflected the board’s intent to groom Gill as India’s future all-format captain.

All that went into appointing Shubman Gill as India's vice-captain for Asia Cup 2025

With the conclusion of the five-match India vs England Test series, the team wrapped up a lengthy red-ball stint in the India cricket schedule. As the Asia Cup 2025 approached, the timing seemed right for Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal to return to the shorter format. The top-order batters had been excluded from India’s T20I setup following the Sri Lanka tour earlier in 2024. Since Test cricket and the ICC Champions Trophy had taken precedence, Gill and Jaiswal were asked to shift their focus away from the shorter format.

Amid their absence from T20Is, the likes of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma showcased their capability to secure a spot in the India Playing XI. The Men in Blue, led by Suryakumar Yadav, scripted dominant wins at home against Bangladesh and England, and also thrashed South Africa in their own backyard. Thus, as the moment to decide India’s combination for the Asia Cup neared, the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar faced two options: either disrupt a well-set lineup to accommodate Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, or keep the youngsters waiting for their return.

As it turned out, keeping Shubman Gill out of T20I action any longer was not even an option for the BCCI. Gill's return, unlike Jaiswal’s, carries a deeper intent. A recent report has revealed that Shubman Gill’s elevation to India’s vice-captaincy for the Asia Cup 2025 was the outcome of extensive discussions within the selection panel.

While names such as all-rounder Axar Patel were considered, the selectors ultimately decided to place their faith in Shubman Gill, seeing him as a cornerstone of India’s leadership group going forward. Meanwhile, the selection meeting, which prominently revolved around the vice-captaincy, also saw head coach Gautam Gambhir joining virtually. Reportedly, it was the Indian head coach who heavily endorsed the idea of investing in the young cricketer who could be groomed as a long-term captain.

Currently leading India in Test cricket, Gill has returned to the T20I squad for the first time this year. Being the vice-captain of the India squad for Asia Cup 2025, his spot in the Playing XI is all but guaranteed. However, his inclusion came at the cost of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who, despite his excellent start at the international level and a successful tour of England, missed out on selection.

In the press conference following the Asia Cup squad announcement, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stressed that Gill has always been central to the team’s plans. He pointed out that Gill missed the South Africa T20I series last year to prepare for the Border Gavaskar Trophy and was also sidelined against England at home with a back spasm. According to Agarkar, had Gill been fit for those games, he would likely have continued serving as deputy even earlier.

“He was the vice-captain when we played in Sri Lanka. But after that, he was busy with Test cricket,” Agarkar said. “We obviously see some leadership qualities in him, and his form in England was what we were hoping for. He exceeded all our expectations, which is a great sign when there’s so much pressure as captain.”

Gill's appointment as India's vice-captain, however, has tampered with multiple aspects of the T20I setup. Gill's entry, or rather, re-entry, means that either Sanju Samson or Tilak Varma will miss out on a spot in the India playing XI for the ACC tournament. Moreover, Axar Patel, who served as Suryakumar Yadav's deputy in the England series, will relinquish his role in favor of the youngster.