Aakash Chopra makes playing XI prediction after IND vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 match

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes India would not make any changes to their playing XI for the match against Pakistan. India backed Sanju Samson ahead of Jitesh Sharma and, surprisingly, did not include Arshdeep Singh in the final XI.

Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya were India’s seam-bowling all-rounders whereas Axar Patel played as a spin all-rounder. Team India backed two spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, whereas Jasprit Bumrah was the team’s solitary frontline pacer.

Many experts also raised concerns after Arshdeep Singh could not find a place in the playing XI.

“They are going to play the exact same team against Pakistan. If they are going to change now, whether it is about Jitesh, that should not happen, not at all, Sanju must play. So, I don’t see a change. How can you actually tell Kuldeep that you are not playing the next game? They should play both Kuldeep and Varun throughout the tournament actually,” Aakash Chopra said on ESPN Cricinfo.

On the other hand, former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes the team can sustain this playing XI when Pandya is fully fit.

“I think they can sustain with this sort of a strategy till the time Hardik Pandya is fully available and fit,” Bangar said.

Chopra added India can’t afford to play with a solitary genuine pacer if there is dew.

“If there is dew, you can’t go in with just one proper fast bowler with Pandya and Dube as back ups and two wrist spinners and take a chance. I don’t think that is a very wise strategy,” Chopra added.

Chopra said India A will also hammer a bleak opposition like the UAE.

“India A team will also hammer them (UAE) to be fair, again, no disrespect. But, the alternate India XI that you want to pick today, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Iyer, Ruturaj, and what not, you will find that they will beat them,” Chopra said.

India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Sunday.