Team India concluded their group stage in the Asia Cup 2025 with a 21-run win against Oman in Abu Dhabi. Defending champions’ next challenge is against their arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super 4 round on September 21. In the group encounter between both teams on September 14, the Men in Blue stood tall and outclassed Pakistan to bag a seven-wicket win. Suryakumar Yadav and his men will look to dominate again, this time in the Super Fours.
On paper, India are looking as the favourites to enter the final comfortably but reigning champions will be wary of all teams in the Super 4 round. When it comes to Pakistan, they are known for their unpredictability and noting this fact, India will look to be disciplined throughout the match on Sunday. As the high-octane
game is only a day away, SportsTiger has predicted India’s playing XI against Pakistan.
India's probable playing XI for Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match vs Pakistan
Openers: Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill
Abhishek Sharma has done an impeccable job for India while Shubman Gill has struggled to be among the runs. Appearing in three matches, Gill has scored only 35 runs at a miserable average of 17.50. His responsibility will be to support in-form Abhishek and give a fine start to the team on Sunday.
Middle-order batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Sanju Samson
Captain Suryakumar Yadav led India from the front on September 14 and chipped in with his unbeaten 47 off 37 to help India register seven-wicket win over the arch-rivals. He will be expected to be at his best against the Men in Green on September 21. Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson will also be crucial for the Men in Blue. Both have looked decent in the middle-order so far and they will look to be better against the Green Army.
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel
Hardik Pandya has troubled Pakistan a lot in the last few years and he will endeavour to do the same in the upcoming blockbuster game on Sunday. Shivam Dube hasn’t produced his best in this tournament. Against Oman, he failed to be impactful in all departments of the match. However, if he gets a chance in the playing XI against Pakistan, he will be expected to deliver fine numbers to defending champions.
Axar Patel’s role will be to reinforce India’s batting attack while playing in the middle-order while as a bowler, he will be expected to bolster the spin-bowling unit of the team. On Dubai’s turning turf, the 31-year-old has been impactful so far.
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarathy
Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead India’s fast-bowling attack while Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy are highly likely to be seen strengthening India’s spin attack with Axar. Kuldeep is the second-leading wicket-taker so far in the tournament. In three matches, he has bagged eight wickets at a thrifty economy of 5.23.
