India Sets Strong Lineup for Asia Cup 2025 Opener Against UAE

The buzz around the Asia Cup 2025 is hard to ignore, especially with the Indian team pulling out all the stops for their tournament opener. Stepping onto the field on September 10 at Dubai International Stadium, India will have Suryakumar Yadav at the helm. With the captaincy armband resting on Suryakumar and the calm presence of Shubman Gill as his deputy, the Men in Blue are clearly showing intent—they want to stamp their authority early and chase a ninth Asia Cup trophy.

All eyes will be on the opening combination. Shubman Gill comes back into the T20I scene, bringing not just experience but also the cool head of a Test captain. Alongside him, there’s the explosive Abhishek Sharma, fresh off a searing IPL season with a jaw-dropping strike rate and the title of No. 1 T20I batter. This pairing promises plenty of action, mixing Gill’s textbook shots with Abhishek’s boundary-hunting flair.

If you think the fireworks stop at the top, think again. The middle order features Suryakumar Yadav himself, fit after a speedy recovery from hernia surgery. He’s expected to anchor the innings, backed by young run-machine Tilak Varma and the reliable all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Their presence not only solidifies the batting but makes sure India isn’t left short of bowling choices either.

Spin and Pace: India Mixes Experience With Firepower

One of the headline moves is the likely return of Kuldeep Yadav to the playing XI. Kuldeep, spinning alongside world No. 4 Varun Chakravarthy, sets up a classic twin-spin threat—ideal for the slower UAE tracks. Add in Axar Patel’s steady left-arm spin and you’ve got a crafty trio who can choke runs and grab wickets during crunch moments.

Sanjay Samson’s probable entry as wicketkeeper means India gets more than just a safe pair of hands behind the stumps. Known for his aggressive strokeplay, Samson can swing matches with the bat, giving the lower middle order real teeth. It’s a role he’s owned in recent domestic fixtures, and this outing is another chance for him to nail down his place.

The pace attack features Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. After a break since the last T20 World Cup, Bumrah will be keen to make an impact with his sharp yorkers and cool death-over skills. Partnering him, Arshdeep Singh is in prime form—his ability to swing the new ball and mix up the pace makes him a nightmare for batters early and late in the innings.

If you look down the team sheet, Shivam Dube jumps out as an ideal T20 all-rounder. He’s set to chip in with handy medium pace and unleash big hits in the closing overs—key ingredients in tight T20 matches.

What’s clear from this likely playing XI is that India’s team management isn’t leaving anything to chance. They’ve stacked the squad with flexibility: multiple spin options, proven fast bowlers, and a batting lineup stretching deep. That balance should help them build confidence against UAE and carry momentum into the high-voltage clash with Pakistan just days later.

• Probable India XI vs UAE: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

This Asia Cup is more than just about defending a title. With the 2026 T20 World Cup not far off, India’s campaign also doubles as a testing ground for new combinations and future stars. Expectations are sky-high, and the opening game against UAE will set the tone for what’s sure to be a highly watched tournament.