Shubman Gill is the Man of the Moment after his magnificent batting display in the five-match Test series against England. Still, he will face a challenge from Axar Patel for vice-captaincy for the Asia Cup, set to be played in the UAE in September. Also, Jasprit Bumrah will be a part of the team and might be rested from the first Test against the West Indies in October. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel will pick the team for the Asia Cup on August 19 or 20.

The selectors are likely to continue with the same set-up. Axar was the team’s vice-captain during the last T20I series against England, while Gill was Suryakumar’s deputy in the matches against Sri Lanka last year.

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya would continue to be among the top five on the Indian team.

“Abhishek Sharma is the World’s No. 1 batter in ICC Rankings. Sanju Samson has done a good job but ignoring Shubman Gill won’t be easy,” a BCCI source privy to developments told PTI. It would be difficult for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan to find a place. Even KL Rahul is unlikely to be considered.

While Samson is the first choice wicket-keeper, the second slot will see a competition between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is still unfit, and Shivam Dube will take his place. Axar and Washington Sundar will be the two spin all-rounders.

Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are the top two seamers, while Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana will fight it out for third place.

Likely contenders: Suryakumar Yadav (Capt), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma/Dhruv Jurel.