“Test Players in T20 Team? Makes No Sense” – Sanjay Manjrekar Tears Into Selectors
Sanjay Manjrekar slams selectors for picking India’s Asia Cup 2025 T20 squad based on Test performances, not T20 form.
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned the selectors after India named their squad for the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament begins on September 9, with India grouped alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman.
On August 19, captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 15-member squad in Mumbai. The absence of Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammed Siraj has already triggered debates among fans and experts.
Manjrekar, in a video posted on August 23, expressed his disappointment with the selection process.
“I’ve noticed this trend over the years, not just recently. Selectors often pick a player based on their success in one format and then slot them into another. When I see a player being chosen for the T20 side based on his Test performance, I can’t help but feel it lacks any cricketing logic. It simply doesn’t add up,” he said.
Squad and Reserves
India’s squad will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with Shubman Gill as his deputy. The team includes a mix of young power-hitters like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh, along with experienced names such as Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Wicketkeeping duties will be shared by Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson. The reserve list features Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna, and Dhruv Jurel.
India Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh.
