The much awaited Asia Cup 2025 is all set to begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirateswith the final scheduled for September 28. The tournament will be played in the T20I format and will feature eight top Asian sides battling for continental glory. Ahead of the marquee event, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s 15-member squad, naming Suryakumar Yadav as captain. Interestingly, the selectors surprised many by appointing Shubman Gill as the vice-captain.

Shubman Gill’s unexpected elevation as vice-captain

Gill’s appointment as deputy to Suryakumar has raised several eyebrows in the cricketing fraternity. The opener, who is also India’s current Test captain, was not even considered a certainty for the Asia Cup squad, given his mixed record in T20 internationals. His strike rate in the shortest format has often been questioned, and several experts felt he would face stiff competition to secure a place.

However, Gill’s excellent leadership in the recently concluded Test series in England, where he impressed with both bat and tactical acumen, appears to have worked in his favor. Chief selector Ajit agarkar addressed the decision in the presser, stating: “He has exceeded all our expectations.”

Captain Suryakumar also backed the move, reminding reporters that Gill was named vice-captain during his last T20I appearance against Sri Lanka before being occupied with red-ball commitments. He said: “Now that he is back in the mix, we are very happy to have him in the squad.”

Fans react over Gill’s appointment

As soon as the news broke, social media was flooded with mixed reactions from fans. While a section of supporters lauded the selectors for recognizing Gill’s leadership potential and consistency, others expressed surprise, arguing that his T20 credentials don’t justify such a promotion.

Here’s how fans reacted: