Asia Cup 2025: India’s Squad Reveals Big Mystery! Who Will Be Samson’s Backup Wicketkeeper?
The Asia Cup 2025 is just around the corner, and Team India’s squad announcement is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19. While most spots are already confirmed, the biggest debate revolves around two crucial roles — the opening slot and the backup wicketkeeper.
As things stand, Sanju Samson is set to be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the continental tournament. Alongside him, Abhishek Sharma is likely to open, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has been mentioned as the third opener. However, the selectors are carefully evaluating their options for a reliable backup keeper, someone who can step in if Samson fails to deliver or is ruled out due to injury.
The Most Likely Options
Jitesh Sharma
The Punjab-born explosive wicketkeeper-batter is widely considered the front-runner. After a sensational IPL 2025 season with RCB, where he smashed 261 runs at a strike rate of 176.35 in 15 matches, Jitesh proved his finishing ability in crunch situations. His aggressive batting style makes him an attractive option for the middle order, an area where India has often struggled in T20Is.
Dhruv Jurel
Another name gaining attention is Dhruv Jurel, who already has India caps in the Test arena. With 333 runs in 14 IPL 2025 games at a strike rate of 156.34, Jurel impressed as a finisher for Rajasthan Royals. His temperament and ability to accelerate in the death overs could make him the perfect fit as Samson’s deputy.
The Dark Horses
Ishan Kishan
Once touted as India’s future wicketkeeper, Ishan Kishan’s career graph has hit a roadblock. After disciplinary issues and inconsistent form, he faces an uphill task to regain selectors’ trust. Despite scoring 354 runs in IPL 2025, 100 of those came in a single innings, raising questions about his reliability. His recovery from a recent injury will also be closely monitored.
KL Rahul
While KL Rahul is considered a mainstay in Tests and ODIs, his place in T20Is remains debatable. However, Rahul showed signs of transformation in IPL 2025 with 539 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 149. If India opts for experience and reliability over explosiveness, Rahul might sneak into the squad.
Final Call
With the Asia Cup being a key preparation ground for the T20 World Cup, India’s selection committee must get this call right. The backup wicketkeeper could end up playing a decisive role if injuries or form issues strike, making this one of the most intriguing decisions ahead of the tournament.
