India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has officially been announced, and reactions have been mixed from fans and experts alike. The exclusion of in-form players like Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal has sparked debate, especially considering both had impressive performances in recent tournaments.
India, who are the defending champions after winning the Asia Cup in 2023, will be aiming to clinch yet another title. While the 15-member squad is now locked in, there’s always room for conversation around potential wildcard picks—players who might have caught the opposition off guard due to their unconventional journeys or breakout performances.
Below are three exciting young talents who, while relatively inexperienced, could’ve added an unpredictable edge to India’s campaign.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi: A Teenage Sensation in the Making
At just 14 years of age, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines during IPL 2025 with his explosive batting. Representing the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the young prodigy smashed a sensational 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans (GT)—a knock that instantly put him on the national radar.
Despite playing limited matches, Suryavanshi accumulated 252 runs at an incredible strike rate of 206.55, showcasing maturity beyond his years. While it might have been too soon for a full international call-up, his IPL heroics surely made the selectors take notice. He’s undeniably one to watch for future tournaments.
Priyansh Arya: The Southpaw Who Lit Up IPL 2025
Priyansh Arya, another breakout star from the Delhi Premier League (DPL), made a massive impact in his debut IPL season with Punjab Kings (PBKS). Bought for INR 3.80 crore, Arya repaid the faith by amassing 475 runs at a strike rate of 179.24, playing a pivotal role in PBKS’ journey to the IPL final.
An aggressive left-handed batter, Arya’s fearless strokeplay and ability to accelerate the innings made him a standout performer. His presence in the middle order could have added a dynamic element to India’s Asia Cup campaign.
Digvesh Rathi: The Spinner with Swagger
While not as flashy as some of the top names, Digvesh Rathi quietly turned into a key player for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during IPL 2025. Picked up for his base price of INR 30 lakh, the leg-spinner emerged as LSG’s leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets in 13 matches.
His celebrations—often involving a “notebook” gesture—drew both attention and controversy, but his bowling did most of the talking. With the ability to turn games in the middle overs, Rathi might have been an interesting inclusion as a wildcard spinner in the Asia Cup squad.
While India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad is filled with experienced talent, the omission of fresh, exciting players like Suryavanshi, Arya, and Rathi leaves fans wondering what could have been. That said, these youngsters have time on their side—and with performances like theirs, future opportunities are only a matter of when, not if.
