Get ready, cricket fans! Team India is gearing up for a massive title defense at the Asia Cup 2025, set to light up stadiums across the UAE from September 9th to 28th. Fresh off their incredible T20 World Cup victory and sitting proudly as the world’s number one T20I team, the Men in Blue, led by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, are the team to beat.
The action kicks off for India with a match against the UAE on September 10th at the Dubai International Stadium. All eyes will also be on young gun Shubman Gill, who returns to the T20I setup with the added responsibility of vice-captaincy. With a powerhouse team in top form, the excitement is already building. But what could the winning combination look like? Here’s a breakdown of India’s best predicted playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025.
The Dynamic Openers: Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma
India has struck gold with this explosive opening pair. The right-hand-left-hand combo of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma has been a nightmare for bowlers, piling on runs at a blistering pace. Their success is undeniable—when these two open, India has won a staggering 10 out of 12 games, often scoring at nearly 10 runs an over.
The Solid Middle Order: Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav & Rinku Singh
Shubman Gill is expected to anchor the innings at number 3, a role perfectly suited for the slower UAE pitches. This means the in-form Tilak Varma might have to wait his turn. Captain fantastic Suryakumar Yadav will hold down the number 4 spot, with the ever-reliable finisher Rinku Singh ready to unleash at number 5.
The Power-Packed All-rounders: Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya & Axar Patel
The firepower continues with Shivam Dube at number 6. His ability to smash spinners and chip in with crucial overs makes him a huge asset. The iconic Hardik Pandya follows at number 7, bringing his trademark explosive batting and serving as the team’s third seamer. Axar Patel gets the nod over Kuldeep Yadav for his superior batting skills, adding incredible depth at number 8. His accurate left-arm spin is also perfectly tailored for the UAE conditions.
The Wicket-Taking Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh
The mystery spin of Varun Chakravarthy is tipped to be India’s first-choice spinner. He’s been in phenomenal form since his comeback, snagging two five-wicket hauls. Leading the pace attack is the irreplaceable Jasprit Bumrah, whose presence in the big games is crucial. Partnering with him will be Arshdeep Singh, India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, who continues to be in red-hot form.
India’s Best Predicted XI for Asia Cup 2025:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav ©, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah
