India begins their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai, with the match scheduled for today, September 10. As the defending champions and reigning T20 World Cup winners, India is favored to win the tournament. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the team is entering a new era without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have retired from T20Is. This tournament is a crucial platform to test combinations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The predicted lineup suggests a blend of experience and youth. Shubman Gill, named vice-captain, is expected to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. The middle order is likely to consist of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. Jitesh Sharma is expected to take the wicketkeeper's role. Axar Patel, along with Shivam Dube, could provide all-round options. The pace attack will likely be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, with Varun Chakaravarthy as the specialist spinner.
Sanju Samson's inclusion remains a point of discussion. While he has been in good form, scoring three T20I centuries in his last 10 innings, he may miss out due to the return of Shubman Gill. Some reports suggest Jitesh Sharma is favored for the wicketkeeper's role because of his explosive finishing and reliable glovework. R Ashwin has also suggested that Samson may not fit into the middle-order. Suryakumar Yadav said that the team will take good care of Sanju and make the right decision.
Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in the playing XI is also uncertain. The pitch conditions in Dubai may favor seamers, reducing the need for a second specialist spinner. It is expected that Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel are likely to be the preferred spin options. However, some experts believe Kuldeep should be given a chance, emphasizing his wicket-taking ability.
The United Arab Emirates, led by Muhammad Waseem, will be playing on their home ground. While they lost all four matches in a recent T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan, individual players like Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu have shown strong performances. Their predicted lineup is:
The UAE will aim to capitalize on their familiarity with the conditions, focusing on tight bowling and good field placements. Key players to watch out for include Muhammad Waseem and Asif Khan.
