Team India’s playing XI for their Asia Cup 2025 opener against UAE has stirred excitement and debate among fans. The surprise omissions, unexpected inclusions, and a bold strategy signal that India is taking no chances on tricky Dubai pitches.
From Kuldeep Yadav missing out to Jitesh Sharma preferred over Sanju Samson, here’s how the Men in Blue are shaping up.
Seamer-Friendly Pitch Hands Spinner Sideline Role
Kuldeep Yadav, India’s star wrist spinner and one of the most consistent bowlers in limited-overs cricket, has been left out of the starting XI for the first match. This might surprise many, given his wicket-taking ability, but the reason is clear—the Dubai pitch.
Team management believes the surface is likely to aid seamers more than spinners. That means India will go with just one frontline spinner—likely Varun Chakravarthy—while relying on all-rounders like Axar Patel and Shivam Dube to provide additional spin or seam options.
This decision underlines India’s flexible strategy: horses for courses. If conditions change in later matches, fans could still see Kuldeep making a comeback.
All-Round Power: Hardik, Axar & Dube in the XI
To strike the right balance, India is fielding three all-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube. Each brings a unique skill set:
- Hardik Pandya: The team’s go-to finisher and a handy medium-pacer, Hardik is expected to anchor the middle overs and close innings with power-hitting.
- Axar Patel: A spin-bowling all-rounder who can bat deep, Axar adds stability and is a proven match-winner in white-ball cricket.
- Shivam Dube: The left-hander has been in fine hitting form and offers an extra seam option—perfect for UAE conditions.
This combination ensures that India has batting depth till number 8 and plenty of bowling variations.
The Big Talking Point: Jitesh Sharma Over Sanju Samson
Perhaps the most eye-catching decision is India’s preference for Jitesh Sharma over Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper-batter.
Samson, a stylish batter with IPL and international experience, was expected to feature. However, reports suggest he spent much of the practice session watching from the sidelines, while Jitesh dominated net practice.
Why Jitesh? The answer lies in his finisher’s role. Known for his explosive lower-order hitting in the IPL, Jitesh is seen as someone who can accelerate in crunch overs—a skill India needs in high-pressure tournaments.
On the other hand, Samson’s best performances have often come as a top-order batter. With Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma set to open, and Suryakumar Yadav fixed in the middle order, there was little room for Samson.
This doesn’t mean Samson is out of the tournament, but for now, Jitesh holds the gloves.
Probable Playing XI vs UAE
Based on training sessions and inside reports, here’s how India’s XI could look:
| Role | Player Name |
|---|---|
| Openers | Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma |
| Middle Order | Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma |
| Finisher | Hardik Pandya |
| Wicketkeeper | Jitesh Sharma |
| All-Rounders | Axar Patel, Shivam Dube |
| Spinner | Varun Chakravarthy |
| Pacers | Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh |
This XI gives India batting firepower, bowling variety, and fielding sharpness—tailored perfectly for the UAE clash.
In Shorts:
India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against UAE is more than just a match—it’s a statement of intent. By leaving out Kuldeep, trusting three all-rounders, and giving Jitesh Sharma a chance over Sanju Samson, the selectors have shown they value adaptability over reputation.
As the Men in Blue take the field, fans will be eager to see whether these bold calls deliver results. One thing is certain—the Asia Cup has just become even more exciting.
