Overview

• India, the defending champions, begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against hosts UAE on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
• India bowling coach Morne Morkel reported a hint of grass on the pitch, pointing to more new-ball seam and swing than seen during the spin-heavy Champions Trophy.
• Forecasts indicate clear skies with temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s Celsius and humidity near 65%, making stamina and hydration key considerations.
• Suryakumar Yadav leads a confirmed India squad featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as options to balance pace and spin.
• Pre-match, Suryakumar praised UAE’s ‘exciting’ cricket and noted the utility of part-time overs, reflecting respect for the hosts despite India’s favorite status.