Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has put his weight behind Shivam Dube to bat at number seven in the upcoming Asia Cup. Chopra reckons Rinku Singh might warm the benches, and he would have to wait for his chances.

Singh was in good form in UP T20 league while leading Meerut Mavericks as he scored 372 runs in nine innings at an average of 62 and a strike rate of 178.85. Rinku has landed in the UAE to start his preparations for the Asia Cup.

“It’s a good question. His number will come, but it can’t come so soon because there is no place,” said Chopra while responding to the query on his YouTube channel when asked about Shashank Singh’s place in the team.

“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?” Chopra added.

Team India has been slotted in Group A with Oman, hosts UAE, and arch-rivals Pakistan for the Asia Cup, whereas Group B has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.

The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against the UAE on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Stand-bys: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal