Who will lead India in the Asia Cup 2025 if Suryakumar Yadav is ruled out of the tournament?

The Asia Cup 2025 is around the corner and the teams are putting in the hard yards to get into the groove for the tournament. The continental cup will take place from 9th to 28th September across two venues in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

A total of eight teams will be taking part in the Asia Cup 2025, and one of the hot favourites to win the tournament will be the Indian Cricket Team. The Men in Blue are placed in Group A and will play their first game against the UAE on 10th September in Dubai. 

Since the tournament is being played in the T20I format, it is understood that Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side in the Asia Cup 2025. But, there have been a lot of speculations over his fitness with the continental cup around the corner. 

This is because Suryakumar Yadav recently underwent a sports hernia surgery in Germany. The batter is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) but there's no clarity if he will be there for the Asia Cup 2025 or not. If he is unable to get fit by the time, the tournament starts, it will be a big blow for the side. 

Who will lead India in the Asia Cup 2025 if Suryakumar Yadav is ruled out of the tournament?

If Suryakumar Yadav is ruled out of the Asia Cup 2025, it will be a massive blow as not only will India miss the batter, but also their leader. However, it will be an opportunity for someone else to take the mettle and help the team win 

If Suryakumar Yadav gets ruled out of the Asia Cup 2025, then there are changes that either of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya or Axar Patel might captain the side. In the last series, Patel was the deputy of Suryakumar, but if Hardik and Shubman are there, things might be different. 

Shubman Gill was appointed as the vice-captain in the white-ball format after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. However, he didn’t feature regularly in T20Is as he was busy in Tests and ODIs. Hence, the chances of him getting the leadership are very high in the absence of Suryakumar Yadav. 

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya has been in the leadership group of the T20I team for a long time. There were some reports as well that if Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill don't feature in the squad for the Asia Cup 2025, he might captain the side.

Also Read: 3 IPL performers who are likely to be picked in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025