“They will open the innings” - Ajinkya Rahane picks India’s playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

With India’s T20I squad already out, Ajinkya Rahane has picked India’s playing XI for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 campaign, scheduled to start in the United Arab Emirates from Tuesday, September 9.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rahane has picked Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill as the left-right opening pair. He also felt that he wanted to see Sanju Samson in the playing XI, but with Gill’s inclusion, it’s tough to have Samson in the XI.

“Shubman, he’s back in the team, I’m sure he is most likely to open with Abhishek Sharma. Personally, I would like to see Sanju Samson in the team because he has done really well. Very confident guy, very good team man. I feel that is a very important thing,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

“Sanju is a great team man, but that’s a very good problem to have for the team management. In my opinion, probably Sanju Samson will sit out, though, as I said, I would like him to play and be in the playing XI. But Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will open the innings for the team,” he added.

Additionally, Rahane expressed his excitement about seeing Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah bowling together in the eight-team showpiece event in the United Arab Emirates, especially in Dubai conditions.

“I’m really excited to see Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh bowling together in this Asia Cup. We don’t want to talk too much about Jasprit Bumrah. We all know how dangerous he is. Arshdeep Singh, a very confident guy, swings the ball both ways. He can bowl straight and wide yorkers as well,” said Rahane.

“The 11th player will depend on the wicket because we are playing in Dubai. Depending on the wicket and conditions, either Varun Chakaravarthy or Harshit Rana,” he added.

Ajinkya Rahane’s India playing XI for Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy/Harshit Rana.

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