The stage is set for the most explosive clash of the Asia Cup 2025, and in a jaw-dropping revelation that’s rocked the cricket world, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir’s probable playing XI for the high-voltage showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan has been leaked! The lineup, featuring a blend of bold selections and big calls, has set social media on fire as fans dissect every name on the list of 11 chosen warriors.
According to team insiders, here’s the XI Gambhir is backing to take on Pakistan in the mother of all battles:
1️⃣ Rohit Sharma (C) – The Hitman is locked in to lead from the front, providing explosive starts with his experience and big-match temperament.
2️⃣ Yashasvi Jaiswal – The fearless young left-hander is Gambhir’s pick to partner Rohit and attack Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers right from ball one.
3️⃣ Virat Kohli – The King stays at his favorite No. 3 slot, with Gambhir putting full faith in Kohli’s ability to anchor or accelerate depending on the situation.
4️⃣ Suryakumar Yadav – The world’s No. 1 T20 batter slots in at No. 4, tasked with maintaining the tempo and countering Pakistan’s spinners.
5️⃣ Sanju Samson (WK) – Gambhir has reportedly backed Samson as wicketkeeper-batter, trusting his power game in the middle overs.
6️⃣ Hardik Pandya – The star all-rounder comes in at No. 6, expected to provide fireworks at the death and contribute with the ball.
7️⃣ Ravindra Jadeja – Jadeja’s all-round skills, sharp fielding, and experience make him a lock in Gambhir’s XI, especially for the high-pressure Indo-Pak clash.
8️⃣ Kuldeep Yadav – The left-arm chinaman is being favored to exploit Pakistan’s historic struggles against quality wrist-spin.
9️⃣ Jasprit Bumrah – India’s pace spearhead will be key to rattling Pakistan’s top order and closing out the innings.
🔟 Mohammed Siraj – The fiery pacer is set to share the new ball with Bumrah, bringing raw pace and aggression to the attack.
1️⃣1️⃣ Arshdeep Singh – In a bold move, Gambhir is backing the left-arm seamer as India’s third pacer, adding variety and death-over skills.
Cricket pundits are already hailing this XI as India’s strongest combination in recent years, designed for aggressive intent and flexibility in all phases of the game. But some fans have questioned the exclusion of experienced campaigners like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, sparking heated debates online.
With the India-Pakistan clash set to ignite the Asia Cup, Gambhir’s fearless selections have thrown down the gauntlet. Can these 11 chosen warriors rise to the occasion and bring glory to a billion fans?