India announced their 15-man squad for the Asia Cup 2025 starting next month. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar made some telling omissions while some surprising inclusions for a tournament that serves as dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup next year. None of the inclusions were as head turning as those of KKR duo Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana, both who struggled in IPL 2025.
Back Harshit’s skills, Rinku needed as extra batter: Agarkar, Surya explain Asia Cup selections
Among the unexpected selections were those of Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana. The KKR duo struggled in IPL 2025 but managed to retain their place in India’s scheme of things. Ajit Agarkar revealed that Rinku was named as a reserve batter. The left-hander is not expected to be in the starting XI but could come in should the team management look got options.
Rinku has played as finisher for India, a role Jitesh Sharma is expected to take over. Nonetheless, Rinku Singh’s selection meant Agarkar had to a leave out a lot of options. That included Washington Sundar, who starred in the India vs England Tests recently.
“He’s [Washington Sundar] always be in the scheme of things. At the moment, we have two mystery spinners/wristspinners in Varun and Kuldeep, and Axar has been around for a while. When we need four spinners – he may always be in the mix. For now, we felt we needed an extra batter in Rinku. And you could only pick 15. If there were 16, maybe he could’ve been in,” Agarkar said in his press conference.
Harshit Rana’s stop-start India career got another lease of life. The Delhi pacer was sent home from the England series but now has managed to be among India’s 15. Rana had leapfrogged Mohammed Siraj for a place in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad. He continues to preferred ahead of Prasidh Krishna in limited overs cricket. India captain Suryakumar Yadav backed Rana to come good if the team calls upon him during the tournament.
“Has played really well in the IPL. Concussion replacement game in Pune, was MoM in the last game he played for India. Back his skills, we know he can deliver,” Yadav said.
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