The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025, which faced significant uncertainties following recent geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, has been given the green light to proceed, a month ago. The tournament is officially scheduled to run from September 9 to 28, with all matches set to be played in the UAE across the host cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
India’s campaign and the group of death in Asia Cup 2025 alongside
With the tournament’s framework settled, the focus now shifts to the on-field action, where India will begin their campaign on September 10 against the United Arab Emirates. The stakes for India are particularly high, as they have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, with their clash scheduled for September 14 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. India will end their group-stage campaign with match against Oman on September 19.
Given the tournament’s format, which includes a Super 4 stage and a final, these two cricketing giants could face each other up to three times, providing intensity to the competition. The Asia Cup also serves as a crucial platform for India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026. As they head into the tournament with a new-look squad, the matches will provide invaluable experience and an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and combinations against some of Asia’s best teams.
India’s playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 game vs Pakistan – Predicted
1. Abhishek Sharma: The world’s top-ranked T20I batter is a non-negotiable inclusion. He carries his stellar IPL form, where he scored 439 runs in 14 matches at a blistering strike rate of 193.39, making him an indispensable opener.
2. Shubman Gill (vc): Gill’s elevation to the vice-captaincy makes him a certainty in the XI. He is expected to open the innings, bringing the class he displayed while captaining his franchise to 650 runs in 15 matches at a robust average of 50.00 during the IPL season.
3. Tilak Varma: The young left-hander has cemented his spot at number three. He finished the IPL with a solid average of 31.18 in 16 matches, showcasing his ability to anchor an innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate.
4. Suryakumar Yadav (c): The captain’s unique flair and 360-degree strokeplay make him a match-winner at number four. He was the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2025, amassing a massive 717 runs in 16 matches at a sensational strike rate of 167.92
5. Hardik Pandya: As the team’s premier all-rounder, his power-hitting and valuable medium-pace bowling are essential. Despite a modest season with the bat in the IPL, his utility remains high, as he scored 224 runs with a strike rate of 163.50, proving his quick-scoring ability.
6. Sanju Samson (wk): Despite strong competition, Samson is likely to get the nod. Although he played only nine matches in the IPL due to a side strain, his reputation as a big-game player and his consistency in previous seasons (where he scored 531 runs in IPL 2024) still give him the edge.
Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar announces his ideal playing XI for India’s Asia Cup 2025 opening match
7. Axar Patel: With the UAE pitches likely to favor spin, Axar’s accurate left-arm spin and useful lower-order batting make him a certainty. He contributed with both bat and ball in the IPL, scoring 263 runs while maintaining an economy rate of 8.47 in a challenging season.
8. Kuldeep Yadav: The wrist-spinner is a vital part of the bowling attack. In the IPL, he was a key performer, with his deceptive variations helping him pick up crucial wickets and restrict the flow of runs in the middle overs.
9. Jasprit Bumrah: The world’s top-ranked pacer returns to lead the attack. He carried his breathtaking international form into the IPL, where he bagged 18 wickets in just 12 games with a best-in-class economy of 6.67.
10. Arshdeep Singh: The left-arm pacer provides variety to the attack He was a consistent wicket-taker for his franchise in the IPL finishing the season with 21 wickets in 17 matches and an impressive average of 24.
11. Varun Chakravarthy: The ‘mystery spinner’ is a strong candidate for the final bowling spot. He comes into the tournament in sensational form, having finished in IPL 2024 with 17 dismissals at an economy of 7.66 and continued his fine form in the Champions Trophy.
Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin brutally slams BCCI over Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion from India squad in Asia Cup 2025
