Asia Cup 2025: India vs Pakistan Predicted XIs & Edge – Who Looks Stronger in the Rivalry?
Get a full breakdown of the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 showdown—predicted playing XIs, India’s key squad selections, Pakistan’s aggressive revamp, and expert insights on which side looks stronger heading into the T20 blockbuster.
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The Asia Cup 2025 kicks off on September 9 in the UAE, with the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash set for September 14 in Dubai. Both sides have cemented their squads, with experts now projecting likely playing XIs and analyzing their strengths.
Predicted India XI & Composition
According to CricTracker, India’s projected XI is:
Batting: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel
Spin: Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
Pace: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
This setup blends explosive top-order firepower with balanced spin and pace—Gill’s return and Bumrah’s addition boost both leadership and attack potency.
Predicted Pakistan XI & Outlook
Pakistan’s revamped lineup reportedly includes:
Batting: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c)
Middle Order/All-Rounders: Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf
Bowling: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed
This squad edges toward aggression and youth, especially after excluding veterans Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Former cricketer Aqib Javed backs the bold overhaul, suggesting the squad can defeat India in UAE conditions.
Strategic Analysis: Who Has the Upper Hand?
| India | Pakistan |
|---|---|
| World-class pace attack led by Bumrah and Arshdeep | Potent pace trio with Afridi, Rauf, Hasan |
| Balanced spin depth with Kuldeep & Chakravarthy | Specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed |
| Formidable batting depth (Gill, SKY, Hardik, Sharma) | Aggressive but untested top bats |
| Proven balance in T20 setups | Bold new direction but lacking experience |
The clash’s outcome may hinge on how well Pakistan’s pace battery counters India’s top order, especially Gill. Meanwhile, India’s depth and experience arguably give them a steadier edge.
