Asia Cup 2025: Team India’s Strategy and Playing XI Revealed

Asia Cup 2025 Begins Today

Asia Cup 2025: The Asia Cup 2025 is set to kick off today, September 9. The opening match will feature Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong. This year's tournament is being held in a T20 format. Team India will commence its campaign on September 10, facing the UAE, and the players are currently engaged in rigorous practice sessions in Dubai. The playing eleven for the first match is nearly finalized.

All-Rounder Expected to Join the Playing XI

All-Rounder Expected to Join the Playing XI

During practice, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel emphasized the importance of having players like Shivam who can bowl four overs. He stated, “It’s crucial for us to ensure that we leave no room for error. I have always advised all-rounders to work on both their bowling and batting skills. Often, during practice, players tend to focus on just one aspect.”

He further added, “Having a sixth or seventh bowling option becomes essential. We need players who can take on this responsibility and perform well. When captain Suryakumar Yadav entrusts them with this role, they must be ready.” Following Morkel's comments, there is a strong possibility that Shivam Dube will be included in the playing eleven.

Morkel's Insights on the Pitch

Morkel's Insights on the Pitch

Regarding the pitch in Dubai, Morkel remarked, “The pitch appeared quite worn during the Champions Trophy, as a lot of cricket has been played here. We will assess the pitch, which has a good amount of grass. This will help us understand our team composition and strategy better.”

Predicted Playing XI Against UAE

Predicted Playing XI Against UAE

The anticipated playing eleven for Team India includes: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.