With just one week left for the T20I Asia Cup 2025 to kick off in the UAE and Oman, the excitement around one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries — India vs Pakistan — is already building. The defending 2024 T20 World Cup champions and the 2016 Asia Cup winners, India, will open their campaign on September 10 against hosts UAE at the Dubai International Stadium before clashing with Pakistan on September 14, 2025 in Dubai.
This will mark India’s first Asia Cup without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom retired from T20 internationals after India’s World Cup triumph in 2024. The new-look Indian side is Shubman Gill, who was appointed T20I vice-captain earlier this year. The BCCI announced a 15-man squad packed with a mix of young stars and seasoned campaigners, all chosen based on recent domestic and international performances.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Squad
- Shubman Gill (captain)
- Suryakumar Yadav (vice-captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson
- Tilak Verma
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Jitesh Sharma
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
India’s Best XI vs Pakistan – Predicted Line-up
- Abhishek Sharma (Opener)
- Sanju Samson (Opener)
- Shubman Gill (Vice-captain/Batter)
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain/Batter)
- Tilak Verma (Middle-order batter)
- Hardik Pandya (All-rounder)
- Shivam Dube (All-rounder)
- Kuldeep Yadav (Spinner)
- Varun Chakravarthy (Mystery Spinner)
- Arshdeep Singh (Left-arm pacer)
- Jasprit Bumrah (Strike pacer)
Why This XI Works Against Pakistan
Abhishek Sharma is the front-runner to open, given his blistering start in international cricket. In just 17 T20Is, he has scored 535 runs, including a memorable 135 against England. His consistent IPL performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad — with 400+ runs in multiple seasons — make him an automatic pick.
His partner, Sanju Samson, is currently in red-hot form. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter recently struck four consecutive fifties in the Kerala Cricket League, showcasing his ability to anchor and accelerate innings. Their left-right combination could be key in unsettling Pakistan’s new-ball attack of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.
Vice-captain Shubman Gill, with 578 runs in 21 T20Is, brings calm and class to the top order. His IPL 2023 Orange Cap-winning season underlines his consistency in the format. Tilak Verma, another exciting southpaw, has already scored 749 runs at a strike rate of 155 in 24 T20Is, cementing his reputation as a fearless middle-order batter.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the No. 1 ranked T20I batter for much of the past three years, adds unmatched 360-degree stroke play, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube provide India with explosive all-round depth.
The bowling attack looks equally formidable. Jasprit Bumrah, arguably the world’s best T20 pacer, will spearhead the pace department alongside left-armer Arshdeep Singh, whose swing and death-over skills have improved significantly. In spin, Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist spin combined with Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery variations give India the edge in middle overs against Pakistan’s power hitters.
Head-to-Head and Rivalry Stakes
India hold a dominant record over Pakistan in T20Is, but history reminds us never to underestimate the Men in Green. The 2021 T20 World Cup still haunts Indian fans, when Pakistan defeated India by 10 wickets in Dubai. With both sides boasting fresh faces, the upcoming clash promises to be another high-voltage encounter.
Key Fixture
- India vs Pakistan
- September 14, 2025
- Dubai International Stadium, UAE
The stage is set for another chapter in the legendary rivalry. With India unbeaten in T20Is since 2023 and Pakistan struggling with form in recent series, Gill’s men will aim to continue their dominance, while Pakistan will look to script another shock on Asian soil.