India's Playing XI vs UAE announced, Sanju Samson made to..

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has named India's playing XI for their Asia Cup 2025 opener against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Patel also omitted wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and middle-order batter Rinku Singh from the XI for the upcoming clash.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, are in Group A with Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against the UAE on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They are facing challenges over team selection, with a call between Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper.

Parthiv Patel Picks India's Playing 11 For Asia Cup 2025 Opener

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Parthiv Patel shared his views on the Indian team combination. He stated that vice-captain Shubman Gill should partner Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order. Patel picked Tilak Varma at No. 3 and captain Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4.

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The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Jitesh Sharma for the wicketkeeping duties, noting that he can also provide a finishing role in the lower middle order. Parthiv said that India could field three all-rounders in the playing XI.

The 40-year-old went with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube as seam-bowling options, while Axar Patel is a spinner. He selected a pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, with Varun Chakaravarthy as the lone specialist spinner. Patel did not include wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in his lineup.

Parthiv Patel's India playing 11 for Asia Cup 2025 opener vs UAE

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakaravarthy.

Rinku Singh has scored 546 runs at an average of 42 with a strike rate above 161. However, he has struggled in recent games, managing only 67 runs in his last five T20Is. The southpaw was not utilized properly by the Kolkata Knight Riders to his full batting potential in IPL 2025.

Sanju Samson Will Have To Sit Out - Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel said that Sanju Samson may not find a place in India’s XI for the Asia Cup 2025. He further stated that the management sees Shubman Gill as a future all-format leader for India.

"He will have to sit out. Considering the combination and Shubman Gill's return, Sanju Samson will have to sit out. (11:47) The past year has been outstanding for Sanju Samson, but there's no place for him in this combination."

"It definitely seems that the team management thinks that Shubman Gill will be India's all-format captain soon. He did captaincy in Tests and is now the vice-captain here. He has been the vice-captain in ODIs for a year now. So, Shubman Gill is definitely being seen in that role."

Sanju Samson has scored 861 runs from 42 matches at a healthy strike rate of 152.38, including three centuries as an opener in 2024. However, the wicketkeeper-batter has struggled to score consistently in the middle order.

Also read: Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah Injured? India nets before Asia Cup 2025 openers worries fans