With the Asia Cup in the UAE just weeks away, the Indian selectors face a significant selection conundrum, how to accommodate the in-form Shubman Gill in a T20I squad that already appears settled and efficient. The continental tournament, scheduled from September 9 to 28, presents a challenge in terms of balancing form, team chemistry, and long-term planning.

Gill, who has enjoyed a prolific run as Test captain, particularly during the recent tour of England, is not currently a natural fit in the T20I setup. Despite his calibre and leadership potential, the current T20 side has evolved into a cohesive unit in his absence, making his inclusion anything but straightforward.

India`s bench strength in T20 cricket is arguably unmatched, with nearly 30 players in contention and at least three to four strong options for every position. The top-order, in particular, is heavily contested. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma have all delivered consistently in national colours over the past season. On the other hand, players like Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sai Sudharsan, who clinched the IPL Orange Cap, are equally deserving of a spot.