Team India will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a Group A clash on Wednesday, September 10, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Men in Blue have been training in Dubai for the past five days and will look to start strong against the UAE, who recently gained valuable match practice in a tri-series.

All eyes will be on Shubman Gill, who returns to the T20I setup after over a year and has also been named vice-captain. His comeback, along with the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, marks two major inclusions in India’s squad. Another point of interest is whether Sanju Samson gets a place in the playing XI.

India’s Squad Changes Since the England Series

Compared to the side that played England earlier this year, there have been a few notable changes:

IN

• Shubman Gill – returns to T20Is, named vice-captain.

• Jasprit Bumrah – back in the squad after more than a year.

• Jitesh Sharma – earns recall as backup wicketkeeper after a strong IPL season, replaces Dhruv Jurel.

• Shivam Dube – replaces injured Nitish Kumar Reddy as pace-bowling all-rounder.

• Kuldeep Yadav – back from injury as third spin option.

OUT

• Mohammed Shami – senior pacer left out, signalling a shift in team management’s plans.

• Nitish Kumar Reddy – ruled out due to injury.

• Ravi Bishnoi & Washington Sundar – both omitted with Kuldeep returning.

• Dhruv Jurel – dropped from the main squad, placed among standbys.

India’s squad looks settled overall, but the few tweaks highlight a focus on balance and form ahead of the Asia Cup and the bigger goal — the T20 World Cup 2026.