Who Did India Include in Their Squad Against UAE?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling start to the Men's T20 Asia Cup, India has made strategic selections, including Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav, as they prepare to face the UAE. This pivotal match promises excitement as captain Suryakumar Yadav leads the charge, aiming to capitalize on favorable conditions. Will India's choices pay off?
Key Takeaways
- India's selected XI includes notable players like Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav.
- Captain Suryakumar Yadav aims to leverage the bowling conditions.
- The UAE comes in with confidence after winning the ACC Premier Cup.
- Pitch conditions may favor bowlers early in the game.
- Both teams have a mix of experience and youth in their squads.
Dubai, Sep 10 (NationPress) India has brought in Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav for their playing eleven as captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first against the UAE in the Men's T20 Asia Cup Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Samson was in competition with the returning Shubman Gill for the second opening position, and the wicketkeeper-batter will bat at number five in the order – a position where he has seen limited action for India in T20Is, getting the selection over Jitesh Sharma.
India has chosen Kuldeep over alternatives like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, aiming to take advantage of the spin-friendly conditions in Dubai, with Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya managing the pace bowling responsibilities. “The wicket looks nice and fresh. It’s humid today, and there might be dew later. If we get an opportunity, we remain flexible but our plan for today is to bowl,” Suryakumar stated.
“If we get an opportunity, we're flexible to do anything but today we want to bowl. We arrived early, had 3-4 effective practice sessions, and even took a day off,” he added, leading India in a multi-nation tournament for the first time after recovering from a hernia surgery in July.
The UAE, who claimed the ACC Premier Cup last year, secured their spot in the Asia Cup. “We were also inclined to bowl. The pitch is fresh and might offer something early on. We had a successful series, took many positives, and are confident heading into this match, balancing both spinners and fast bowlers, along with juniors and seniors,” remarked UAE captain Muhammad Waseem.
According to pitch analysis by Russel Arnold and Sanjay Manjrekar, the conditions are expected to remain stable throughout the match, with square boundaries measuring 62m and 75m. They noted that the pitch, featuring 4mm grass, could exhibit slight two-paced and unpredictable behavior.
Playing XIs
India: Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah.
UAE: Muhammad Waseem (captain), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, and Simranjeet Singh.
Point of View
It's essential to recognize India's thoughtful approach in selecting players like Sanju Samson and Kuldeep Yadav for this crucial match against UAE. The decision showcases India's depth in talent and strategic flexibility, which could prove vital in securing a win in this competitive Asia Cup.
NationPress
11/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India choose to bowl first against UAE?
India opted to bowl first after winning the toss, aiming to exploit the conditions of a fresh pitch and potentially capitalize on early assistance for bowlers.
Who are the key players in the Indian lineup?
Key players in the Indian lineup include captain Suryakumar Yadav, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, and spin bowler Kuldeep Yadav.
What are the expected conditions for the match?
The conditions are expected to be humid, with possibilities of dew later in the game, which could affect the playing surface.
How did UAE qualify for the Asia Cup?
UAE qualified for the Asia Cup by winning the ACC Premier Cup last year, showcasing their growing prowess in international cricket.
What is the significance of this match for India?
This match is significant for India as it marks their debut in the T20 Asia Cup under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and is crucial for their tournament campaign.
