Former BCCI selection committee chief Chandu Borde is confident that India will retain the Asia Cup, saying that “it is a well-balanced side”.

Talking to News Arena India after the announcement of the squad, Borde, however, voiced concern over the fitness of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who did not play all the Test matches during the recent tour of England.

“I only hope Bumrah’s condition doesn’t turn into an issue again, as it did during the England series,” said Borde, who also served as team manager during the historic 1989 Pakistan tour, the series where Sachin Tendulkar made his international debut.

Praising the depth of Indian cricket, Borde said the team’s strong bench strength offers both flexibility and options across departments. “We are better equipped than ever before, and I’m sure the selectors have chosen the best possible combination for the conditions. We have depth, we have talent and, most importantly, we have experience.”

Expressing confidence about India’s chances, especially in the marquee clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, Borde said, “We are the best team in Asia right now, and I firmly believe we will overcome every opposition, Pakistan in particular.”

The Asia Cup squad was announced by captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Tuesday. While the overall composition largely met expectations, a few notable omissions sparked debate among fans and experts alike.

Among the most discussed exclusions was Shreyas Iyer, who last played a T20I in 2023 against Australia. Once a dependable middle-order presence, Iyer’s recent struggles with form and fitness may have weighed against his selection. Also missing was Yashasvi Jaiswal, the dynamic opener who was part of India’s previous T20 World Cup-winning squad as a reserve. His recent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL had led many to believe he was a sure pick.

Another surprise was the omission of Washington Sundar, the spin-bowling all-rounder who had impressed in the Test series against England. The absence of Sundar, known for his versatility and calm in pressure situations, was seen as a missed opportunity.

Prasidh Krishna, the Purple Cap winner in IPL 2025 with 25 wickets from 15 matches, was also left out of the main squad despite being part of the recent Test setup. He features among the standby players.

On a brighter note, Jasprit Bumrah returns to white-ball cricket for the first time since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Having focused on Tests and missed the ICC Champions Trophy due to injury, his comeback is a significant boost for India’s pace attack.

The squad — led by Suryakumar Yadav — blends experience with youthful energy and includes hard-hitters, adaptable all-rounders, crafty spinners and a rejuvenated pace battery.

However, not every spot in the playing XI is assured. During the press conference, Agarkar candidly admitted that Sanju Samson was given an opportunity as an opener only because Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal were unavailable due to their Test commitments.

“Sanju was playing because Shubman and Yashasvi were not available at that point. So was Abhishek. I mean, Abhishek’s performances clearly make it hard to leave him out. Plus, his bowling is handy,” said Agarkar.

By Joe Williams