Asia Cup 2025: India vs UAE – Match Preview
The Asia Cup 2025 kicked off on September 9 with Afghanistan thrashing Hong Kong by 94 runs in a crucial Group B clash at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Now, attention shifts to Group A as India takes on UAE in their second match of the tournament. The contest will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Match Context
India’s camp has been abuzz with intense practice sessions, with key players putting in extra hours on the field. The focus is on finalizing the playing XI as they aim to find the right combination on the fresh Dubai surface. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is eager to make a strong start ahead of their high-profile encounter against Pakistan on Sunday, September 14.
Meanwhile, UAE enters this game after participating in the recent T20I tri-series. Although they showed signs of improvement, they failed to secure a win against Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, having defeated Bangladesh in a bilateral series at home in May, UAE will hope to challenge the formidable Indian side and put up a spirited performance.
In head-to-head encounters, India and UAE have faced each other just once—in the 2016 Asia Cup, which was the first edition played in the T20 format. India emerged victorious in that match.
Past Performances at Dubai
India has played 9 T20Is at this venue, winning 5 and losing 4. UAE, on the other hand, has featured in 13 matches here, managing 3 wins while losing 10.
The match between India and UAE is scheduled to start at 8 PM IST on September 10, 2025.
India’s Probable Playing XI
Abhishek Sharma
A dynamic left-hander, Abhishek can ignite the innings with his aggressive style. He boasts an impressive T20 strike rate of 193.84, with 2 centuries and 2 fifties in 16 innings.
Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
Gill’s return to the squad has pushed Sanju Samson to the bench. In 21 matches, he has scored 578 runs, including 1 century and 3 fifties, showcasing his consistency.
Tilak Varma
The young star has been a revelation at number three, averaging over 55 with a strike rate of 169.73. He has 749 runs at an overall strike rate of 155.07.
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
SKY will aim to lead from the front in the middle order. He averages over 38 in T20Is with a strike rate of 167.07.
Shivam Dube
A powerful all-rounder, Dube can bowl his full quota of overs, adding depth to the bowling lineup. Coach Morne Morkel recently emphasized his importance in the squad.
Hardik Pandya
A star all-rounder, Pandya strengthens both the batting and bowling units. With 94 wickets at 26.43 and over 1,800 runs, he remains a vital asset.
Axar Patel
The second spin option and a handy all-rounder, Axar can be deployed flexibly depending on the match situation.
Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper)
With Samson out of the playing XI, Jitesh will be India’s go-to keeper. Though his batting form in recent matches hasn’t been impressive, this is a key game for him.
Jasprit Bumrah
The spearhead of India’s pace attack, Bumrah has 89 wickets from 70 matches at an outstanding average of 17.74.
Arshdeep Singh
The left-arm pacer complements Bumrah, currently India’s top wicket-taker in T20Is and just one shy of 100 wickets.
Varun Chakravarthy
A T20 specialist, Varun has claimed 33 wickets in 18 matches at an exceptional average of 14.57. His inclusion means Kuldeep Yadav misses out.
Player to Watch: Varun Chakravarthy
The leg-spinner has proven to be a game-changer in T20 cricket. His brilliant performance during the ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE has boosted his confidence, and he is expected to pose significant challenges to the opposition’s batters.
This sets the stage for an exciting clash between a star-studded Indian side and a determined UAE team looking to make an impression on the big stage. The stakes are high, and the action promises to be thrilling.