The Asia Cup 2025 has arrived, and for Indian fans, the excitement begins with their first match against the United Arab Emirates. This encounter is more than just an opening game; it’s a chance to see India’s new-look squad in action and answer the burning question on everyone’s mind: Is Sanju Samson in or out?
We dive deep into the team dynamics, T20I stats, and key players to give you a comprehensive preview of this much-anticipated match.
India vs UAE: The T20I Story So Far
The head-to-head stats between these two teams are limited but telling. India and the UAE have faced each other only once in a T20I match, back in the 2016 Asia Cup. In that game, India dominated, winning by 9 wickets after restricting the UAE to a mere 82 runs.
While this historical context provides a snapshot of Indian superiority, the UAE has been steadily working their way up the Asian cricket ladder, and the 2025 Asia Cup presents a chance for them to prove their mettle on home soil.
Quick Facts
- Date: September 10, 2025
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- Toss Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Match Start Time: 8:00 PM IST
- Head-to-Head T20I Record: India 1 – 0 UAE
- Importance: India’s opening match to set momentum before their big clash against Pakistan.
1. The Team News & Predicted Playing XIs
The Indian team arrives in the UAE as defending champions, carrying a formidable record of 24 wins and just three losses in their recent T20Is. The team management, under coach Gautam Gambhir, has opted for a mix of youth and experience. The hosts, UAE, will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and pull off a major upset.
With Shubman Gill named as the vice-captain and the return of Jasprit Bumrah, the team has a strong, balanced look. The team is aiming for a perfect blend of power-hitters and shrewd bowlers, which leaves little room for error in selection.
Based on recent reports and team management’s signals, here is the predicted playing XI for India:
India Probable XI:
- Shubman Gill (vc)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Axar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Rinku Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Arshdeep Singh
This lineup suggests that Sanju Samson will likely be on the bench for the first match, with Jitesh Sharma being the preferred wicketkeeper-batter due to his explosive hitting in the lower order.
UAE’s Probable XI: Key Players & Team Strengths
The UAE squad is a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent. They will be looking to their experienced players to lead the charge against the cricketing giants.
UAE Probable XI:
- Muhammad Waseem (c)
- Alishan Sharafu
- Aryansh Sharma (wk)
- Asif Khan
- Basil Hameed
- Muhammad Farooq
- Muhammad Jawadullah
- Junaid Siddique
- Aayan Afzal Khan
- Sanchit Sharma
- Zahoor Khan
Major Impact Players to Watch
- From India: Abhishek Sharma (opener) has been in remarkable form, boasting a very high strike rate. Suryakumar Yadav (captain) remains the anchor of the middle order with his 360-degree play. In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah will be the spearhead, while spinner Varun Chakravarthy could be a trump card on the Dubai pitch.
- From UAE: Muhammad Waseem (captain) will be crucial at the top of the order to provide a solid start. In bowling, Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Jawadullah will be key to taking early wickets and containing the Indian batting lineup.
Recent 5 Encounters Summary
This will be the first T20I encounter between India and the UAE since the 2016 Asia Cup, where India thrashed the UAE by 9 wickets. As there are no recent head-to-head encounters, we look at their T20I form leading into the Asia Cup: India has won 4 of its last 5 T20Is, showcasing their strong form. The UAE, while showing promise, has struggled in its recent tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Weather & Pitch Report
Weather Forecast (Dubai, UAE)
- Date: September 10, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM local)
- Temperature: 38°C
- Humidity: 52%
- Chance of Rain: 0%
- Source: Google Weather, as of Sep 10, 2025
The weather is expected to be hot and humid, with no chance of rain, guaranteeing a full match.
Pitch Report The Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitch is known for its balanced nature, offering something for both batters and bowlers. However, in night matches, the dew factor becomes a significant variable. This makes it challenging for bowlers to grip the ball in the second innings. Historically, teams batting second have had a clear advantage at this venue. The pitch is likely to be fresh, offering assistance to both pacers and spinners.
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Our final predicted result: India to win by a comfortable margin (70% probability).
Man of the Match Pick: Jasprit Bumrah, for a match-winning bowling performance.