There was plenty of chatter regarding India‘s opening pair-whether Sanju Samson would play-following Shubman Gill’s addition to the squad as vice-captain. The suspense finally ended on Wednesday, with both Samson and Gill included in the final XI. Jitesh Sharma, who was also in contention for the wicketkeeper’s role, did not find a place in the team. Meanwhile, India captain Suryakumar Yadav opted to bowl after winning the toss at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Team India’s combination vs UAE surprized many speculations
Sanju Samson had built a flourishing opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma in recent months, the pair adding 267 runs in 12 T20I innings at a strike rate of over 170. The Kerala batter has 861 T20I runs at a strike rate of 142, including three hundreds, and India are yet to lose a T20I series since the 2024 T20 World Cup with him as opener. In Dubai, however, Samson has been shifted to the middle order, with Gill returning at the top after a year’s absence.
Shubman Gill, who has 578 T20I runs at a strike rate of 139.29, also comes back as India’s vice-captain. His promotion, coupled with Samson’s modest return in India’s last home series, seems to have prompted the reshuffle. Jitesh Sharma, who earned a recall on the back of a standout IPL 2025 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, missed out as the management preferred Samson’s experience behind the stumps.
Tilak Varma retains his place at No. 3, with captain Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4. Samson is set to bat at No. 5, while Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel add depth to the middle and lower order. India’s bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav providing the spin options. Notably, Arshdeep Singh, who recently broke into the top 10 of the ICC T20I bowling rankings, has not been included in the playing XI.
India playing XI for the UAE clash: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
With this playing XI, Team India thrashed UAE by 9 wickets which prompted Former Indian cricketer now commentator Aakash Chopra believes that after a thumping win , India wont tinker the winning combination vs all important clash with Pakistan on September 14th.
Aakash Chopra believes that India won’t change a winning combination vs Pak in Asia Cup 2025
Arshdeep Singh not being picked up in India’s playing XI vs UAE has stirred up a massive controversy in the Asia Cup 2025. Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra lashed out at the India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar despite the team’s massive nine-wicket win over the UAE in their first Asia Cup 2025 game in Dubai on September 10.
The Men in Blue went with three spinners, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy, leaving them with only one pace specialist in Jasprit Bumrah, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube being supporting hands against the UAE on Sunday. However, this strategy worked, as they restricted the UAE to a paltry 57 runs inside 14 overs, and Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler with the stunning figures of 4/7 in 2.1 overs. Dube also got three wickets in his two overs while conceding only four runs.
Later, the Men in Blue shot down the target in just 27 balls with nine wickets in hand to have a winning start to their Asia Cup 2025 campaign. But Aakash Chopra was not happy with the playing XI selection as the preparations had begun for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Slamming Gautam Gambhir and the Indian think tank, the cricket pundit said that they are still stuck in a “Champions Trophy hangover” despite the conditions and the format having changed, and now they are preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. However he still believes that India won’t tinker with the winning combination vs Pakistan on September 14th as the conditions would be some what same on Dubai conditions.
Aakash Chopra stated that Team India should now go on to back this particular combination as the likes of Samson and Kuldeep , who were initially doubtful to feature , cannot be dropped at this juncture .
“They are going to play the exact same team against Pakistan. If they are going to change now, whether it is about Jitesh, that should not happen, not at all, Sanju must play. So, I don’t see a change. How can you actually tell Kuldeep that you are not playing the next game? They should play both Kuldeep and Varun throughout the tournament actually,” Aakash Chopra said on ESPN Cricinfo.
However Aakash Chopra and former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar expressed their reservations regarding the limitations of the team combination that India have chosen to go with for the time being
“I think they can sustain with this sort of a strategy till the time Hardik Pandya is fully available, and fit,” Bangar said.
“If there is dew, you can’t go in with just one proper fast bowler with Pandya and Dube as back ups and two wrist spinners and take a chance. I don’t think that is a very wise strategy,” Chopra added.
Sanju Samson didnt get a chance with a bat but was sharp in his outing behind the Stumps. Kuldeep Yadav on the other hand , was the pick of the bowlers and the Player of the Match , with his stunning figures of 4-7 off just 2.1 overs.