India names Asia Cup squad with Rinku Singh as extra bat; Iyer omitted

India named its 15-man squad for the Asia Cup 2025 with Rinku Singh retained as an additional batting option, while Shreyas Iyer was omitted, a combination that has sparked discussion about selection priorities and potential political influence in the process. The tournament begins on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates, with India’s campaign kicking off against the UAE on September 10. The selectors cited balance and the need for multi-role players as the principal justification for their decision.

Rinku Singh arrives at the Asia Cup amid questions over his recent form, particularly in the IPL, where his numbers dipped compared with his breakout 2023 season. In IPL 2025 he managed 206 runs from 13 matches at a strike rate of approximately 153, and his international record in the lead-up to the tournament included 546 runs in 24 T20Is at an average of around 42 with a strike rate near 161. Yet supporters point to his finishing ability and his demonstrated composure in pressure situations as reasons for faith in his continued selection. A standout recent display came in the UP T20 League, where Rinku blasted 108 not out off 48 balls, a performance that reinforced his claim...