๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐
United Arab Emirates
India
The Asia Cup 2025 gets underway with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong, but the real spotlight will be on the second game when defending champions India take on the UAE. The clash will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 10th September, starting at 8 pm IST.
India enters the tournament as the favourite, having lifted the last Asia Cup and recently crushed England in a T20I series. They will be without stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, who retired after the T20 World Cup 2024. Instead, the team is looking ahead with young stars. Vice-captain Shubman Gill, who just turned 26, is set to return at the top of the order, while Abhishek Sharmaโs explosive form adds further firepower. Abhishekโs record-breaking 135 against England showed how dangerous this new-look India can be. With Mohammed Shami leading the bowling attack, India still looks strong despite the absence of its senior players.
The UAE, on the other hand, earned their spot by winning the ACC Menโs Premier Cup 2024. Their recent form has been up and down โ a series win over Bangladesh raised expectations, but inconsistency in Uganda and during the ongoing tri-series has exposed their lack of experience. Still, the side has shown it can challenge stronger opponents if they play to their potential.
Abhishek Sharma is the safest pick, given his record-breaking T20I form.
The betting tip is...
Top India Batsman: Abhishek Sharma
73 %
27 %
United Arab EmiratesIndiaVice-captain Shubman Gill will return to international cricket after more than a year and is set to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Gill enjoyed a strong IPL 2025, scoring 650 runs at a strike rate of 150, while Abhishek heads into the Asia Cup after a record-breaking 135 against England - the highest individual T20I score for India. With 13 sixes in that innings, he will be Indiaโs biggest batting threat at the top.
Tilak Varma is expected at number three, carrying excellent form with 413 runs in his last nine T20Is at an average of 82 and a strike rate of 171. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav anchors the middle order with Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, and likely Shivam Dube. Yadav, Indiaโs most consistent T20 batter, has 2598 runs in 79 innings at a strike rate of 167, while Samson has shifted to the middle order after producing three T20I centuries. Pandya provides balance with both bat and ball, and Dubeโs recent form with the bat gives him an edge over Rinku Singh and Axar Patel.
The bowling will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Arshdeep Singh. Bumrah picked up 18 wickets in IPL 2025 and remains Indiaโs strike weapon, while Arshdeep is just one wicket away from completing 100 T20I scalps.
Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav could form the spin duo, though Harshit Rana is in contention if India chooses an extra pacer.
Predicted Lineup: Shubhman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
The UAE will rely heavily on skipper Muhammad Waseem, their most explosive batter at the top. Waseem has been striking at over 155 in 2025, with 262 runs in his last 10 T20Is at a strike rate of 151.44, making him key to quick starts. He will open alongside Alishan Sharafu, who scored 98 runs in three matches of the recent tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan. Sharafu was also the leading run-scorer in the ACC Menโs Premier Cup 2024, piling up 278 runs at a strike rate of 163. At number three, Muhammad Zohaib adds stability with 262 runs in 12 games, though his strike rate of 104 shows a more conservative approach.
In the middle order, Asif Khan provides the real hitting power. Known for his big sixes, he has scored 192 runs in his last 10 T20Is at a strike rate of 165 and was outstanding in the ACC Premier Cup with 259 runs, including three fifties. He will be joined by Rahul Chopra, who made 70 runs in the recent tri-series, and Harshit Kaushik, both tasked with supporting the UAEโs finish.
On the bowling front, Haider Ali leads the attack and will be the one to watch, with 22 wickets in just 13 games at an economy of 5.36. Saghir Khan offers another strike option, having taken 14 wickets in 8 matches, while experienced pacer Junaid Siddique brings depth with 100 wickets in 75 games.
Muhammad Rohid, with 11 wickets in his last 8 outings, completes a solid attack capable of troubling India if conditions assist.
Predicted Lineup: Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan, Haider Ali, Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra, Harshit Kaushik, Saghir Khan, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Rohid, Simranjeet Singh.
India go into this clash as overwhelming favourites with explosive openers, a strong middle order, and world-class bowling depth. The UAE have shown fight in recent months, but their inconsistency and lack of experience against top teams remain a concern.
Expect Muhammad Waseem to provide some resistance, but Indiaโs firepower - especially Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah - should ensure a comfortable win for the defending champions.
