Asia Cup 2025 Sehwag Game Changer Selection Sparks Controversy Ahead of India's Campaign
Asia Cup 2025 is just around the corner with Suryakumar Yadav's Team India. Jasprit Bumrah Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy are selected as game changers by Virender Sehwag and Shubman Gill is shockingly left out.

The buzz for the Asia Cup 2025 is growing as the event approaches and fans are keen to witness how Team India would fare in the presence of Suryakumar Yadav at the helm.India has been placed in Group A together with Pakistan Oman and the UAE making the group stage games highly interesting. India will begin its campaign on September 10 against UAE and fans can't wait to know how the team is shaping up in this crucial continental tournament. Although the team has a few star names in it, it is the selection done by former India opener Virender Sehwag that has generated heated debates among the fans.
Sehwag who is never shy of his straightforward views has identified Jasprit Bumrah Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy as the three players who have the capability to turn the game around for India in this tournament. What makes his observation more interesting is that he did not include the vice captain of the team Shubman Gill. This has come as a shock to many as Gill is rated one of the most talented young batsmen in international cricket. But Sehwag is of the view that the three players he selected have the capability to win matches for India by themselves if they reach their potential.
Sehwag was full of praise for Abhishek Sharma who has been creating a buzz with his aggressive batting and the capability to challenge bowlers from the beginning. The young player has impressed with his fearless shots and ability to play in any condition in T20 cricket. Sehwag believes that his aggressive style can turn games India's way and make him an authentic game changer. The fans are eager to see how Abhishek takes the pressure of a major tournament like the Asia Cup where the expectations are always sky-high.
In the case of Jasprit Bumrah Sehwag was not in doubt. He has referred to Bumrah as a game-changer each time he takes the field. Bumrah is acknowledged to be among the world's greatest fast bowlers with his yorkers and speed being a batters' nightmare in any form of the game. India's bowling unit depends mostly on his fitness and performance. Sehwag put fans in mind that the presence of Bumrah alone can turn the game on its head and that India will require him at his best if they wish to go deep into the tournament.
The third selection Sehwag made was mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. His distinct bowling style and the knack of performing under pressure impressed Sehwag who laid emphasis on the fact that Varun had been excellent in the Champions Trophy as well as in T20s. Mystery bowlers usually become crucial while playing T20 cricket where a good spell can totally restrict the scoring rate of the other team. Varun's options might come in useful against nations like Pakistan who share his group and have a strong team challenge every time.
The debate regarding Sehwag's selection has been triggering controversy as everyone expected Shubman Gill to be named as a game changer. As a vice captain, Gill bears responsibility not only as a batsman but also as a team leader playing in support of Suryakumar Yadav. Gill's regular performances and his capacity to pilot the innings are making him a key player for India. The reason why Sehwag ignored him is that he wished to lay emphasis on players who provide uncertainty and can flip the game within a single session. This perspective has sparked divergent opinions among cricket enthusiasts.
Workload management has also been a key point of discussion ahead of the Asia Cup. Following the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy, several fans asked why Bumrah was limited to just three games when Mohammed Siraj played five consecutive matches. Sehwag had something to say about this topic and explained that workload management is not particularly relevant for batsmen but is very important for bowlers particularly fast bowlers. He clarified that bowlers subject their bodies to tremendous pressure and if not well managed, they will end up injured and cut short their careers.
Sehwag emphasized that it is important for a nation like India to keep fast bowlers fit and ready for major events like the Asia Cup and World Cup. According to him, when the top bowlers are in shape India's possibilities of success double. This reflects how much value is being placed on fitness and long term handling in contemporary cricket where the calendar is cluttered with back to back series and tournaments.
The Asia Cup isn't another tournament for India. It arrives at a time when the team is building up towards greater challenges down the line such as the World Cup. Suryakumar Yadav as a captain has plenty to prove as this is his first big test as a leader in a major tournament. His attacking approach to batting has made him one of the most thrilling cricketers in T20 cricket but now people will be observing how he captains the team and deals with pressure. Having Shubman Gill as his deputy the pair will look to lead India through a grueling group stage and into the knockouts.
The inclusion of sides like Pakistan gives an extra layer of spice to the group. India Pakistan matches are always the pick of any tournament and the Asia Cup will be no exception. The match will not just challenge India's batting prowess but their bowling threat handling under pressure as well. Because of this having players like Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy in prime condition will prove to be important. While the Oman and UAE match will provide opportunities for India to try out their combinations and provide opportunities for young players such as Abhishek Sharma to excel at a big stage.
With Sehwag's aggressive predictions the spotlight will be on whether his selected three would indeed live up to the tag of game changers. Abhishek Sharma will try to establish that he is cut out for the big stage Bumrah will try to demonstrate why he remains the best of the lot and Varun Chakravarthy will pray his enigmatic spin disrupts top-order batsmen. Whether Shubman Gill will prove to be a greater game changer or not is yet to be seen but one thing is sure the Asia Cup 2025 is going to see some exciting matches and a lot of drama for cricket lovers all around the globe.