'He'll have to wait, his time will come' - Renowned commentator bats for Shashank Singh's India debut

Former India batter and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra recently shared why he feels Shashank Singh was not selected in India's Asia Cup 2025 squad, despite an impressive stint with the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. Shashank struck at 153.50 across 14 innings for his side in the 2025 edition of the tournament. However, the 33-year-old is yet to make his debut for India.

Chopra named the several players who were in front of Shashank, all of them battling for the limited slots in the middle-order for the time being. The cricketer-turned-commentator admitted that the Chhattisgarh all-rounder being drafted in even the squad for the T20 World Cup next year is an uncertain prospect.

"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? He can't come. 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," stated Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.

Rahane won't be able to make a comeback: Chopra

The 47-year-old also commented on the future of Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul in Tests and T20Is, respectively. The Agra-born felt that the Indian team did not have them in their agenda any more, and that the selectors already know the direction they want to the team in.

"He (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. He won't be able to come till the World Cup. He [Rahul] too won't be able to come [in T20I squad]. Again, the Indian team has started going in a very different direction," Chopra observed.

India have already picked their squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, led by Suryakumar Yadav with Shubman Gill as the vice-captain. As of now, it seems quite improbable that there will be a lot of shuffling when it comes to picking the squad for the T20 World Cup for next year. The mega biannual event will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in early 2026.