India’s Cricketing Strengths Shine, No. 8 Position Still a Concern

By Teena Arya
Updated August 20, 2025 | 4 min read

India’s Batting Depth Shines, but No. 8 Slot Still a Concern Ahead of Asia Cup 2025

India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad boasts immense batting strength and world-class bowlers, yet the hunt for a power-hitting allrounder at No. 8 continues to remain the team’s biggest challenge.

By Sidharth Monga

19 August 2025

Batting Wealth at the Top

India’s Asia Cup squad is a reflection of both luxury and heartbreak. Luxury, because the selectors are spoilt for choice at the top. Heartbreak, because even proven performers like Yashasvi Jaiswal have no space in the XI.

With Shubman Gill returning as vice-captain, the selectors have reinforced the opening combination alongside Abhishek Sharma, leaving Sanju Samson in a floating role. Gill’s strike rate of 155.87 in IPL 2025, achieved with calculated, medium-risk batting, makes him nearly undroppable in the shortest format.

Jaiswal, despite his attacking reputation, finds himself sidelined — a sign of India’s unmatched depth. Abhishek’s ability to both attack early and chip in with part-time bowling tilted the balance in his favour. Add Tilak Varma in the middle order, paired with Suryakumar Yadav’s fearless captaincy, and India’s batting order has a natural right-left mix, something most T20 sides crave.

Middle-Order Stability and Options

The selectors resisted the temptation of drafting in Shreyas Iyer, who had a standout IPL season for Punjab Kings. Instead, they chose continuity with Tilak, who provides stability, while Samson and Jitesh Sharma bring flexibility.

Should Tilak hit a rough patch, Samson offers an immediate option at No. 3, while Jitesh Sharma remains a designated finisher. In short, India has batting insurance policies stacked across roles, ensuring minimal disruption even if one player struggles.

The Persistent No. 8 Problem

And yet, for all this abundance, India’s No. 8 position remains a thorn.

Selectors left out Prasidh Krishna, who enjoyed a stellar IPL with 25 wickets, purely because he does not provide a batting cushion. The lesson from Gujarat Titans’ misadventures — playing Rashid Khan at No. 7 without depth behind — was clear: modern T20s demand a lower-order hitter who can double up as a frontline bowler.

Enter Harshit Rana. His inclusion is based more on potential than proven numbers. While his T20 and List A batting strike rates (105.35 and 75.7) don’t inspire confidence, his first-class exploits — averaging 32.8 with 27 sixes — suggest untapped hitting ability. If he delivers at No. 8, India can unlock a luxury template: two mystery spinners (Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy) alongside pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, with Hardik and Harshit covering the seam roles.

But if Harshit’s bat doesn’t click, the team risks falling into the same trap — bowlers who can’t hit, forcing specialist batters to compromise their aggression.

Future Alternatives for India

Selectors are already eyeing potential fixes. Vipraj Nigam, the exciting IPL 2025 find, smashed eight sixes in just 79 balls and showed glimpses of being the rare all-rounder India craves. His development could shape India’s long-term plans.

Another possible option is Shivam Dube, whose big-hitting is proven, but his inclusion tilts the balance towards batting at the expense of bowling depth. In such a scenario, India would rely on Hardik, Axar, Abhishek, and Dube to complete overs — a gamble that works only on friendlier surfaces.

India’s Likely XI for Asia Cup 2025

  1. Abhishek Sharma

  2. Shubman Gill (vc)

  3. Tilak Varma

  4. Suryakumar Yadav (capt)

  5. Jitesh Sharma (wk)

  6. Hardik Pandya

  7. Axar Patel

  8. Harshit Rana

  9. Kuldeep Yadav

  10. Jasprit Bumrah

  11. Varun Chakravarthy

Bigger Picture: Robust but Not Perfect

India’s T20I side looks robust, confident, and well-prepared heading into the Asia Cup. Fresh off a dominant 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, they have retained their core while smartly experimenting around the edges. The top seven is perhaps the strongest batting unit in world cricket, but the squad continues to wrestle with the No. 8 paradox: a bowler who can also win games with the bat.

The coming months, packed with bilateral series and the Asia Cup, provide an opportunity for experimentation. Whether Harshit Rana rises to the challenge or a new name like Vipraj Nigam emerges, India knows that solving the No. 8 riddle is the last missing piece in their T20 armoury.

Until then, their riches with the bat might overshadow the crack, but for a team chasing back-to-back world titles, the search must continue.

India’s Cricketing Strengths Shine, No. 8 Position Still a Concern
Why is the No. 8 position still a concern for India in the Asia Cup 2025 squad?
Despite India’s strong batting and bowling depth, the No. 8 slot lacks a proven allrounder who can both bowl effectively and finish games with power-hitting. Harshit Rana has been picked for his potential, but his batting at this level remains untested.
Who missed out on selection because of the No. 8 dilemma?
Prasidh Krishna had an excellent IPL 2025 with 25 wickets, but he was left out since he doesn’t provide batting strength at No. 8. The selectors prioritized a player with hitting potential in the lower order.
Could Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission be linked to the team balance issue?
Yes. With Shubman Gill returning as vice-captain and Abhishek Sharma offering both explosive batting and part-time bowling, Jaiswal had to miss out. India wanted balance across roles, especially with the No. 8 slot unsettled.
Who are India’s future options for solving the No. 8 problem?
Emerging talents like Vipraj Nigam, who showcased hitting power in IPL 2025, could be long-term solutions. Shivam Dube is another option, though his inclusion would slightly weaken bowling depth.
How does the No. 8 issue affect India’s T20 strategy?
Without a reliable power-hitting bowler at No. 8, India’s top-order batters may need to play with caution, reducing their natural attacking style. Solving this problem would allow India to bat with complete freedom.
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By Teena Arya