- By Namrata Vijay
- Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs UAE Asia Cup 2025: Ex-India cricketer Aakash Chopra has reckoned that team India's playing XI for their tournament opener against UAE has followed a Champions Trophy hangover and has emphasised that the Men in Blue have three spinners and one fast bowler in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and have snubbed Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep is the country's highest wicket-taker in the shortest format as he has taken 99 wickets after playing in 63 T20I matches.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led side revealed their playing XI after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.
“I think it has a Champions Trophy hangover in this playing XI, that was March, that was dusty, I have never seen that square as dry as I saw in March in Dubai. But this is September, and they have gone with the same tactic, albeit in a different format," Chopra was quoted as saying on ESPNCricinfo.
Also Read: 'Don't Look': Suryakumar Yadav's Hilarious Warning To UAE Skipper Ahead Of Toss Goes Viral
“Is that actually the way India is going to plan? You have to pick your best team. Arshdeep Singh. 99 wickets, Arshdeep Singh has got more wickets, better numbers than Jasprit Bumrah in T20s for India," he said.
In the Men in Blue's last T20I series, Arshdeep had played in three of the five matches against England at their backyard.
Suryakumar Yadav chose to bowl first against the hosts during their tournament opener on Wednesday.
Shubman Gill would be making a comeback to India's T20I side and would be opening the innings along with Abhishek Sharma.
According to the playing XI, captain Suryakumar Yadav would be batting at the No.3 position before Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson, who would be batting at the No.4 and No.5 positions.
The team management had included just one fast bowler, Bumrah, with Hardik Pandya being the other pacer.
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy are the two main spinners along with Axar Patel.
