Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that Mohammed Siraj’s absence weakens India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad and that the pacer’s inclusion could have made the bowling attack more formidable. The Indian squad for the tournament, which will be played in the UAE from September 9.
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The pace department is set to be led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Arshdeep Singh and young Harshit Rana providing support as the other frontline seamers. In T20 internationals, the right-arm quick has 14 wickets from 16 games at an average of 32.28 and an economy of 7.79.
His last appearance for India in the shortest format came in July 2024. In IPL 2025, where he turned out for the Gujarat Titans, Siraj picked up 16 wickets in 15 matches. While his average of 32.93 and economy rate of 9.24 were not exceptional, his ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs remained valuable.
What possibly worked against him this time was workload management. Siraj was the only fast bowler to feature in all five Tests against England earlier this year, finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the series. With a hectic home season imminent. Starting with a two-match Test series against West Indies on October 2. The selectors may have preferred to give him a breather rather than risk overworking him.
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Asia Cup 2025: Harbhajan Criticizes Selection Calls
Despite that reasoning, Harbhajan Singh believes India will miss the edge Siraj provides in the Asia Cup 2025. I feel Siraj’s name should have been there, Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Hindustan Times. He bowled very well in the recent series. Yes, he bowled a lot in England, but he also got enough rest after that.
He could easily have been part of the squad. The ‘X-factor’ Siraj brings might be missed in this tournament. Harbhajan also pointed out another surprising omission in the squad: Shreyas Iyer. The middle-order batter has not featured in T20Is since early 2024. But his form in domestic cricket and the IPL has been exceptional.
In 2024, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders to their first title in ten years. A year later, he nearly repeated the feat, guiding Punjab Kings to the final before they narrowly lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Across the last two IPL seasons combined. Iyer has scored 955 runs in 31 innings at a remarkable average of 45.48 and an outstanding strike rate of 163.5.
His ability to play match-winning knocks in high-pressure situations has revived his reputation as one of the most reliable middle-order batters in Indian cricket. Harbhajan admitted he expected Iyer to find a place in the squad given this form. I thought Shreyas Iyer’s name would be there, he said. He has been in excellent form; he played in the IPL final and scored plenty of runs.
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Asia Cup Final: India Eye Asia Cup Glory Amid Debates Over Selection Calls
I was quite surprised to see him left out. Of course, when someone is included, someone else has to miss out. But given his performances, Iyer deserved a place, Harbhajan said. India will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against hosts UAE on September 10. With their eyes set firmly on reaching the Asia Cup Final in the UAE.
They have been drawn in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Group B Features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Four stage, followed by the final. While India remains among the favorites, the absence of Siraj and Iyer has already sparked debates among fans and experts.
The squad certainly has strength and depth, but the experience and X-factor that the two missing names bring could have added another dimension to the team. With Bumrah leading the attack and a relatively inexperienced support cast. India’s bowlers will be tested on UAE pitches that often favor batting.
Similarly, in the batting lineup, the management will hope the chosen middle-order options can fill the gap left by Iyer’s exclusion. As the tournament draws closer, attention will be on whether India’s chosen combination can deliver. For now, Harbhajan Singh’s comments have ensured that the debate around selections will remain a talking point right up until the first ball is bowled.
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