Asia Cup 2025: Krunal Pandya Eyes India Return After Stellar IPL 2025 Show

Asia Cup 2025: Krunal Pandya Eyes India Comeback After Impressive IPL 2025 Show With the dust settling on India’s gripping 5-match Test series against England, all eyes now shift to the shortest format – T20 cricket – as teams gear up for the Asia Cup 2025 and

UPDATED: Thursday, August 7, 2025

Asia Cup 2025: Krunal Pandya Eyes India Return After Stellar IPL 2025 Show

Asia Cup 2025: Krunal Pandya Eyes India Comeback After Impressive IPL 2025 Show

With the dust settling on India’s gripping 5-match Test series against England, all eyes now shift to the shortest format – T20 cricket – as teams gear up for the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.

The Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE, will be India’s first T20I assignment since February 2025. The gap between series means selectors will rely heavily on recent IPL performances — and one player making headlines is Krunal Pandya.


 Krunal Pandya’s Strong IPL 2025

Krunal Pandya made a strong case for a national recall through his all-round show in the Indian Premier League 2025. While he has always been known for his utility with both bat and ball, it was his bowling that stood out this season:

  • Wickets: 17

  • Economy Rate: 8.2

  • Best Batting Performance: 73* off 47 balls vs Delhi Capitals

The left-arm spinner showcased calm under pressure and proved to be a match-winner for his side — something India may need on the slower UAE pitches.


 Why Krunal Makes Sense for Asia Cup 2025

India already have Axar Patel as a like-for-like left-arm spinner and all-rounder. But the team management has previously shown flexibility — playing both Axar and Ravindra Jadeja in the T20 World Cup 2024. Krunal’s:

  • experience,

  • economical bowling,

  • match temperament,

  • and left-handed batting option

make him a serious contender — especially with the kind of dry, spin-friendly pitches expected in both the Asia Cup and the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka).


 High Stakes: Asia Cup Before the World Cup

The Asia Cup 2025 is not just another tournament — it’s the final big T20 test before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in February. India, as defending world champions, are likely to go full-strength, using this competition to finalize their core squad.


 Captaincy Uncertainty: Surya or Hardik?

Currently, Suryakumar Yadav leads India in the T20I format. However, a recent sports hernia surgery puts his availability for the Asia Cup in doubt. If SKY is ruled out, Hardik Pandya is likely to take over the captaincy — a role he has handled confidently in the past.

India has many options to choose from but they will stick to what they know works until the T20 World Cup. The batting line up will include Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel. Shubman Gill might also be back in the team keeping the T20 World Cup 2026 in mind.

Here’s a possible team for India at the Asia Cup 2025:

Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah/Harshit Rana, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jitesh Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, Krunal Pandya.

ALSO READ –Asia Cup 2025 Fixtures Out: Full Schedule & India vs Pakistan Date Confirmed