Asia Cup 2025: India vs UAE Preview

Dubai – The Asia Cup 2025 is all set to kicked off today, and all eyes are locked in for tomorrow for a compelling Group A clash as defending champions India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, begin their campaign against the hosts, the United Arab Emirates. The high-stakes match is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Head-to-Head

Historically, this is a rare fixture in T20 Internationals, with the two sides having met only once before. That sole encounter took place during the 2016 Asia Cup in Mirpur, where India secured a dominant 9-wicket victory. The UAE will be keen to use their home advantage to register their first-ever win against the subcontinent giants.

Pitch and Conditions

The match will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a venue known for its dry surface. The pitch tends to offer a bit of grip, which can make it challenging for batsmen to time the ball, particularly as the game progresses. Spinners are expected to play a crucial role, especially with the ball getting older. While the average first-innings score is around 145, teams will be targeting a total of 170-180 to feel secure. The hot and humid weather, with temperatures around 35 degrees, could also bring dew into play during the second innings, which might influence the captain’s decision at the toss.

Probable Playing XIs

India (IND)

Without veteran stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav. The team will likely opt for a balanced lineup, potentially including three spinners to take advantage of the conditions.

Top Order: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma
Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Rinku Singh
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Under the leadership of Muhammad Waseem, the hosts will be looking to leverage their home conditions. Their squad features a mix of experienced and new talent.