Akash Chopra Picks India's 15-Man Squad for Asia Cup 2025, Backs Hardik Pandya for Player of the Tournament

Former Indian Test cricketer and commentator Akash Chopra has unveiled his projected 15-man India squad for the Asia Cup 2025Dubai, predicting not just the lineup but the tournament’s biggest stars — and a surprising final opponent. In a detailed breakdown across his YouTube channel and interviews with Navbharat Times, Chopra laid out a team built on recent T20I form, not reputation. And the most controversial pick? Hardik Pandya as Player of the Tournament — not for his batting alone, but for his ability to turn games in the final overs.

Top Four Locked In — But Who’s Really in Charge?

Chopra’s analysis starts with the top order, which he calls "nearly set in stone." He points to the last 12 T20Is as his data set. Aabhishek Sharma’s century against Australia, Sanjeev Samson’s three tons in that span, and Tilak Varma’s twin hundreds against South Africa make their spots non-negotiable. And at No. 4? That’s Suryakumar Yadav — the man who redefined modern T20 batting. "These four are locked," Chopra told reporters. "No matter who’s rested, these names will open and anchor the innings." But here’s the twist: Chopra says Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are knocking on the door. "They’re not out of the picture," he said. "It’s just that the form book has spoken louder. The camel’s turning — we’ll see which way it settles."

The Middle Order: Power, Precision, and the Unsung Hero

Chopra’s real insight comes in the middle order. He doesn’t just pick players — he builds a chain reaction. No. 5 is Shivam Dube, the left-handed powerhouse who can clear boundaries with ease. No. 6? Sanju Samson, who can shift gears from anchor to accelerator in 12 balls. "They’re not just batsmen," Chopra explains. "They’re match-winners who can bail out the top order if it collapses." But the real surprise? No. 7: Nitish Kumar Reddy. A 22-year-old from Andhra Pradesh with a strike rate of 178 in domestic T20s. "If you play Nitish at seven, you get a genuine all-rounder at eight," Chopra says. "That’s when Axar Patel gets his chance. If you don’t, you’re stuck with a pure spinner and lose balance."

Spin and Pace: The Delicate Balance

Chopra’s bowling attack is a masterclass in pragmatism. He’s picked Varun Chakravarthy as the sole frontline spinner — not Kuldeep Yadav. Why? "Kuldeep’s a great bowler," he says, "but Varun’s variations are perfect for the UAE pitches — low bounce, slow turn. He’s the X-factor." The pace attack? Jasprit Bumrah is named, but with a caveat: workload management. So Chopra includes Mohammed Siraj, Arsheed Singh, and Harshit Rana as the primary trio. "Bumrah will be rotated," Chopra confirms. "But if he’s fit, he’s the finisher." The final XI? Shubman Gill, Aabhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav or Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arsheed Singh.

Why Afghanistan? The Real Threat

Forget Sri Lanka. Forget Pakistan. Chopra’s boldest prediction: India’s final opponent won’t be one of the traditional giants. It’ll be Afghanistan. "They’ve beaten India in warm-ups. They’ve stunned England in the T20 World Cup. Their spinners are world-class, their batters fearless," he says. "This isn’t a fluke. This is a team with momentum — and it’s coming for the title." He also predicts Aabhishek Sharma will top the run charts — "He’s got the temperament and the strokeplay to dominate for 70 balls" — and Varun Chakravarthy will take the most wickets. "He’s the mystery that no one’s solved yet."

Hardik Pandya: The Quiet Game-Changer

The most unexpected pick? Hardik Pandya as Player of the Tournament. Not because he’ll score 400 runs. But because he’ll be the fulcrum. "He’s the only one who can bat at five, bowl four overs, and hold the field together," Chopra says. "He’s the glue. When the top order fails, he stabilizes. When the spinners tire, he attacks. He doesn’t just play — he redefines the game’s rhythm." It’s a pick that flies in the face of conventional wisdom. But Chopra’s not wrong. In the last 18 months, when India’s middle order collapsed, it was Hardik who saved them — against South Africa, England, and even Australia. He’s not flashy. But he’s fatal.

Why This Matters

The Asia Cup 2025Dubai isn’t just a tune-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup — it’s a pressure test. With the BCCI’s new selection policy favoring form over legacy, Chopra’s squad reflects what’s really happening in the dressing room. The old guard is fading. The new guard isn’t waiting for permission. And the real story? It’s not who’s in. It’s who’s out. Kuldeep’s exclusion isn’t about skill — it’s about strategy. India is betting on balance, not spin. On versatility, not specialization.

What’s Next?

The first T20I against Australia is on October 29 in Canberra. That match will reveal whether Chopra’s projections hold up. Will Gill and Sharma open with fire? Will Reddy deliver at No. 7? Will Bumrah be rested or unleashed? One thing’s certain: this isn’t just a squad. It’s a statement.