The Asia Cup 2025 will kick off their second game with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) vs India clash under the famous Ring of Lights at the Dubai International Stadium.
For India, this marks a much-awaited return to T20 international cricket after an extended break. The Men in Blue have enjoyed an unbeaten run in T20I series and tournaments since 2023, and they enter the competition as strong favourites. In contrast, hosts UAE come into the tournament with mixed form, having endured a disappointing home Tri-series after a 2-1 T20I series victory over Bangladesh earlier this year.
India’s New Leadership Era
The spotlight will be on Suryakumar Yadav, who will captain India for the first time in the Asia Cup 2025. Supporting him will be deputy Shubman Gill, along with experienced match-winners Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.
India’s squad blends youth and experience, boasting a destructive top order with Abhishek Sharma, a promising middle-order presence in Tilak Verma, and a spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. The pace attack looks lethal as well, with Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh ready to unleash their firepower. With depth in batting, world-class spinners, and a fearsome pace unit, India will be difficult to stop and could well remain unbeaten in the tournament.
UAE’s Bold Challenge
Despite India’s dominance in their head-to-head record, the UAE cricket team will back themselves to cause an upset. Skipper Muhammad Waseem, who has been in excellent form, will lead a batting unit featuring Asif Khan and Alishan Sharafu — both with more than 1,200 T20I runs at a strike rate above 133.
On the bowling front, veteran pacer Junaid Siddique, with over 100 T20I wickets, will spearhead the attack. Promising youngsters Mohammad Jawadullah, Mohammad Roid Khan, and Haider Ali add exciting variety, especially if the Dubai pitch offers movement under lights.
In a bold pre-tournament statement to ESPNcricinfo, captain Waseem declared:
“We can absolutely inflict an upset on India or Pakistan.”
With former India coach Lalchand Rajput — the man behind India’s historic 2007 T20 World Cup triumph — now guiding the UAE side, belief in the camp is at an all-time high.
What to Expect
The India vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 opener promises to be more than just a routine fixture. While India, under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, begin as overwhelming favourites, the UAE’s fearless approach and home advantage at the Dubai International Stadium could make this an unpredictable contest.
Cricket fans across Asia will be watching closely to see whether the hosts can script history or if India will continue their dominance in T20I cricket.