Dubai – Defending champions India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on Wednesday evening with their opening Group A clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Stadium.

While India enter the contest as overwhelming favourites, the team combination has been the subject of much debate ahead of the tournament.

Key Talking Points for India

  • Opening slot: Despite recent good form, Sanju Samson is set to make way for Shubman Gill, who returns to the XI as vice-captain. Gill will likely partner Abhishek Sharma at the top.
  • Middle order: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Hardik Pandya will anchor the middle, with Tilak Varma providing stability at No. 3.
  • Wicketkeeper choice: If Samson misses out, Jitesh Sharma is expected to don the gloves lower down the order.
  • Finishers and all-rounders: Shivam Dube and Axar Patel bring balance with bat and ball.
  • Bowling mix: Kuldeep Yadav may sit out, with India opting for Varun Chakaravarthy as the mystery spinner alongside Axar Patel. Pace duties will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, with Hardik Pandya as the third seamer.

IND vs UAE Predicted Playing XI

India: Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (C), Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Farooq, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah

Full Squads

India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh.

UAE Squad: Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Asif Khan, Muhammad Zohaib, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Aryansh Sharma, Dhruv Parashar, Matiullah Khan, Ethan D’Souza, Simranjeet Singh.

What to Expect

India will look to start strong with their power-packed batting order and world-class seam attack, while the UAE will rely on skipper Muhammad Waseem and their spin-bowling options to cause an upset.

The clash also presents an opportunity for fringe Indian players like Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dube, and Varun Chakaravarthy to prove their mettle ahead of the knockout stages.