Former India National Cricket Team opener Aakash Chopra has opened up on the non-selection of the explosive batsman Shashank Singh in the squad for the Asia Cup 2025.
Aakash Chopra said that Shashank Singh is good enough to make it to the India T20I squad, but currently, there is no vacant place for a finisher in the team.
His number will come, but it can’t come so soon – Aakash Chopra
The Chhattisgarh batting all-rounder Shashank Singh has been on fire in the last couple of seasons of IPL while playing for the Punjab Kings (PBKS).
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From being an accidental buy to the main performer for Punjab Kings (PBKS), his journey has been quite unique. In IPL 2024, he scored 354 runs at an average of 44.25 and a strike rate of 164.65, forcing the franchise to retain him.
Then, in IPL 2025, he blasted 350 runs at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 153.50. In the summit clash against RCB, he gave his all and remained unbeaten at 61*, but his team lost the match.
Meanwhile, speaking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra talked about Shashank Singh not being picked for the Asia Cup and said:
“It’s a good question. His number will come, but it can’t come so soon because there is no place. Rinku Singh, as a finisher, will be sitting out currently, and Shivam Dube will probably play at No. 7 if he gets a chance to play. Hardik Pandya and Jitesh Sharma are there. Where is the place?”
As much as I love Shashank Singh, how can he come? – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra further said that the Punjab Kings batter has a 50-50 chance of making his T20I debut till the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
“As much as I love Shashank Singh, how can he come? He can’t come. So that is the story. Shashank will have to wait. I like him, he has got the skills, and it’s not like he is a 22 or 25-year-old youngster, but he will have to still wait. Till the T20 World Cup, it’s 50-50. I don’t think his name can come that easily,” he said.
Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, and a total of eight teams will take part in the competition.
Aakash Chopra rules out Ajinkya Rahane’s Test comeback, KL Rahul’s T20I return
Aakash Chopra further talked about the chances of Ajinkya Rahane making his Test comeback and KL Rahul making his T20I return. He said:
“He [Ajinkya Rahane] won’t be able to come, it seems like that for now. It seems difficult. I will be very honest. The Indian team has gone in a very different direction. So it doesn’t seem like he has a chance. u
“He [KL Rahul] won’t be able to come till the World Cup. He too won’t be able to come. Again, the Indian team has started going in a very different direction.”
