Asia Cup: After 15 games, India finally win toss; opt to bowl against UAE, Sanju Samson in playing XI
After a frustrating run of 15 consecutive toss losses in international cricket, India at last enjoyed some fortune as skipper Suryakumar Yadav called correctly in Dubai. Opting to bowl first against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in Group A, which also features Pakistan and Oman.
Ranked No. 1 in the T20I format, India enter the tournament as heavy favourites. The occasion also marks the first time the side will contest a multi-team T20I event under the new leadership pairing of Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Expectations are high that the duo will lay down a marker ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.
Much of the pre-match discussion surrounded the wicketkeeping slot. Speculation was put to rest when Sanju Samson was named in the XI ahead of Jitesh Sharma, confirming the Kerala cricketer as India’s first-choice gloveman. His inclusion offers both stability behind the stumps and additional strength to the middle order.
With conditions in Dubai expected to assist both seamers early and spinners later, India will look to make early inroads before unleashing their batting depth in pursuit of a strong start to their Asia Cup campaign.
India Playing XI
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
UAE Playing XI
Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (w), Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Haider Ali, Dhruv Parashar, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Junaid Siddique, Simranjeet Singh
(With inputs from Agencies)