‘No likelihood of successful T20 World Cup’ Kris Srikkanth blasts Gambhir, Agarkar over Asia Cup 2025 squad

Former India selector Kris Srikkanth has hit out at India’s squad selection for the Asia Cup 2025. The ex-India opener opined that while the team is good enough to win the Asia Cup 2025, the T20 World Cup defence would be a pipe dream. Srikkanth did not mince his words and hit out at several selections, including those of Harshit Rana and Rinku Singh.

‘They have gone backwards’ Kris Srikkanth hits out at Asia Cup 2025 squad

Speaking on his YouTube channel, former India opener Kris Srikkanth expressed his bewilderment at the Asia Cup squad. A part of the 1983 World Cup winning team, the Tamil Nadu legend served as selector when India won the World Cup in 2011. Srikkanth opined that India had no chance of success in the T20 World Cup next year with the current squad.

“We might win the Asia Cup with this team, but there is no chance of winning the T20 World Cup with this bunch. Is this the preparation for a global tournament which is just six months away?” Srikkanth said.

The Asia Cup saw Shubman Gill recalled to the side and named as vice-captain over Axar Patel. Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana were all retained from the England series in January despite middling a IPL 2025.

“They have gone backwards. Axar Patel has been stripped of vice-captaincy, and I don’t know how Rinku, Dube, and Rana got in. IPL is supposed to be the main selection yardstick, but the choices don’t reflect that,” he added.

Gill’s return and the absence of Shreyas Iyer meant that India’s batting appears lopsided at the moment. Sanju Samson, who scored 3 T20I centuries opening the batting, might have to bat lower down the order.

“Who will bat at No. 5? Hardik usually takes that slot. Now, Axar Patel cannot be expected to come in at six. I simply can’t understand the logic behind picking Dube over someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has proven himself both in the IPL and international cricket,” Srikkanth said.