India have dropped pacer Arshdeep Singh from the high-voltage clash against Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The left-arm seamer is India’s leading wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game, claiming his 100th scalp in the previous match against Oman. However, he proved slightly expensive, leaking 37 runs off four overs.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was given a break in the previous game, has returned to the XI. He will give much-needed balance to the India squad, which lacked firepower in the last game. Notably, Bumrah has played 72 T20Is, claiming 92 wickets at an economy rate of 6.29. In the previous game against Pakistan, he clinched two wickets, and overall, he has clinched seven in five matches against the Men in Green.
India win toss, elect to bowl
India have won the toss and elected to bowl first in the blockbuster clash. Apart from benching Arshdeep Singh for Bumrah, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side also dropped Harshit Rana from the playing XI. Star spinner Varun Chakravarthy replaced him in the middle. There were concerns about Axar Patel over his head injury but the all-rounder retained his spot.
“We'll bowl first. Looks a nice track and yesterday there was dew. Since first round we were thinking we're playing a knockout tournament, nothing changes. That was a completely different wicket (in Abu Dhabi). Quite normal, just another game. Bumrah and Varun come back for Arshdeep and Harshit,” Surykumar said after the toss
Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy