India’s biggest talking point before the Asia Cup 2025 is around the opening combination. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from T20 internationals last year, the top order has new names fighting for that crucial role.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have all been tested at the top since 2024, and each has done enough to be in the conversation.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
With the squad now announced and Shubman Gill has made it to the team as the vice-captain, while Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to make the cut, let's take a closer look at how these four batters stack up through their T20I numbers since the 2024 World Cup and IPL performances.
MORE: Asia Cup 2025: Which players are in the race for the squad?
Stats since T20 World Cup 2024
After July 2024, when Rohit and Kohli retired from T20Is, the focus shifted completely to this younger core. Abhishek played the most games and continued his power-hitting.
Samson shone with three centuries in this period, while Jaiswal kept his strike rate high with quickfire knocks. Gill, though not as destructive as others, stayed reliable with two half-centuries.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Best Score | 100/50 | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 6 | 6 | 221 | 44.20 | 170.00 | 93* | 0/1 | 27/10 |
| Shubman Gill | 7 | 7 | 243 | 40.50 | 129.25 | 66 | 0/2 | 29/6 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 17 | 16 | 535 | 33.43 | 193.84 | 135 | 2/2 | 46/41 |
| Sanju Samson | 12 | 12 | 417 | 37.90 | 183.70 | 111 | 3/0 | 37/30 |
This phase has shown that India has multiple strong options, but the selectors will have to decide whether they want consistency or outright firepower at the top.
READ: Asia Cup 2025: Format, teams and groups explained
IPL 2025 stats
When it came to the IPL earlier this year, Gill and Jaiswal made the most noise. Gill scored 650 runs in 15 innings with an average of 50.00, while Jaiswal struck six fifties.
Abhishek Sharma lit up the tournament with a strike rate close to193 and a stunning 141-run knock. Samson, despite playing fewer matches, chipped in with useful scores.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Best Score | 100/50 | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 14 | 14 | 559 | 43.00 | 159.71 | 75 | 0/6 | 60/28 |
| Shubman Gill | 15 | 15 | 650 | 50.00 | 155.87 | 93* | 0/6 | 62/24 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 14 | 13 | 439 | 33.76 | 193.39 | 141 | 1/2 | 46/28 |
| Sanju Samson | 9 | 9 | 285 | 35.62 | 140.39 | 66 | 0/1 | 27/13 |
MORE: Asia Cup 2025: Retained KKR star Rinku Singh's place uncertain in India T20I squad
Looking at the numbers, it’s clear India have four very strong contenders for just two opening spots. No matter who gets the nod, India’s top order looks in good shape heading into the tournament.