Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has urged BCCI selectors to include Shubman Gill in India’s Asia Cup squad, which is set to be announced by the board on August 19.

According to Harbhajan Singh, despite his lower strike rate when compared to Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Sanju Samson, Gill is a very talented batter, and he can score runs in any format.

The Indian test captain has played his last T20I match on July 30, 2024 in Pallekele against Sri Lanka. He has scored 578 runs in 21 T20Is with a strike rate of 139.27.

“In the T20 format, it’s important to understand that it’s not just about big hitting. If Shubman decides to attack, he can match anyone, because he is a very solid player with strong basics. A batter with such a strong foundation can score runs in any format,” said Harbhajan Singh.

“If you look at the IPL, Shubman has scored runs every season. He has worn the Orange Cap—and that doesn’t happen by chance. And it’s not like he bats only at a strike rate of 120 or 130. He can also bat at a strike rate of 160,” he added.

According to Harbhajan Singh, Shubman Gill is very talented batter who can adapt to any format and one should not underestimate him.

“Yes, we do have players like Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, but you cannot undermine or underestimate Shubman Gill. He is a very talented batter who can adapt to any format.”

“He is an all-format player. In my opinion, he can play T20s and even dominate the format. We as fans are used to seeing fours and sixes every ball, but you also need batters who can play long innings and rescue the team when required,” added Harbhajan Singh.

Picking his Asia Cup 2025 squad, Sanju Samson included Shubman Gill along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer, but suprisingly there was no place for Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh.

“I think the squad should be yashasvi jaiswal, abhishek sharma, shubman gill, suryakumar yadav – the captain, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag for the Middle Older Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Kl Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant, “He said.

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against UAE on September 10 at Dubai International Stadium. The Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin with Afghanistan and Hong Kong clashing in the opener match on September 09 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.