Check India’s predicted playing XI for the 1st match of Asia Cup 2025, with key players, squad details, and strategy insights.
India will approach the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE with an aggressive game plan in the hands of skipper Suryakumar Yadav, placing emphasis on aggressive cricket and a refurbished top order. The tournament will be played from September 9 to 28, with India placed in a pool that includes UAE, Pakistan, and Oman.
Batters: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh
All-Rounders: Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
India appears poised to unleash Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as openers. Samson provides experience and versatility with 861 runs in 42 T20Is at a strike rate of 152.39. Abhishek, the young gun, offers explosive beginnings with 535 runs in 17 games at 193.85 SR, and is India's choice powerplay striker.
With this lineup, Shubman Gill will take on the pivotal No. 3 spot, with a mix of aggression and stability.
World No. 1 T20 batter and captain Suryakumar Yadav will hold the middle overs together with his aggressive stroke play. Along with him will be Rinku Singh, India's official finisher, who has repeatedly fired in crunch overs with his six-hitting prowess.
Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel provide batting depth up to No. 7 while also acting as bowling options an asset on UAE's sluggish tracks.
On the spin front, Kuldeep Yadav is the go-to man assisted by Axar. India also has Varun Chakravarthy as a mystery bowler in case of turning tracks.
India's biggest gain is the return of Jasprit Bumrah. Along with Arshdeep Singh's swing and Harshit Rana's pace, India's bowling attack has control as well as wicket-taking capability across phases.
India's likely playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 is a reflection of an attacking intent, with Samson-Abhishek opening, Gill-SKY in the middle order, and Bumrah leading a pace attack of depth and variety. With depth, balance, and attacking fire power, India turns up in the UAE as one of the strongest teams to win the trophy.
