Overview
- Match starts at 8:00 PM IST at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with live TV on Sony Sports Network and streaming on SonyLIV.
- Defending champions India begin under captain Suryakumar Yadav, carrying a dominant recent T20I record reported as 24 wins and 3 losses since the 2024 World Cup.
- Selection focus centers on Shubman Gill’s expected return to open with Abhishek Sharma, a move that could push Sanju Samson out of the top order in favor of a specialist finisher.
- The Dubai pitch is viewed as balanced with early help for pacers and spin in the middle overs, and chasing sides have historically fared better, aided at times by evening dew.
- UAE captain Muhammad Waseem said his team will stick to its plan and rely on home familiarity, though India won the sides’ only previous T20I in the 2016 Asia Cup.