India started their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominating nine-wicket victory over the hosts.
The defending champions, India, started their ACC Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominating nine-wicket victory over the hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It turned out to be their biggest win by number of balls left (93) in the low-run chase of 57. Suryakumar Yadav-led India were clear favourites to win their opening clash, but the way they outclassed the opponent has set the tone for the upcoming encounters of the T20 league. But the fans had expressed their disappointment over the exclusion of star pacer Arshdeep Singh.
Previously, there were speculations over the participation of the pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, in the clash against the UAE, following the debate over his workload management. Many expected the side to utilise the ace pacer in crucial fixtures, which include the India vs Pakistan clash and the knockouts, as the other participants in Group A are developing nations like the UAE and Oman.
But the Indian management went with the 31-year-old, instead of the youngster who was warming the bench during the England tour too.
Team India opted for a spin-heavy bowling attack for their Asia Cup opener. Among their three pace bowling options, two were all-rounders, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, alongside Bumrah. While emphasising the change of pitches since India’s ICC Champions Trophy-winning campaign earlier this year at the same venue, former batter Aakash Chopra acknowledged Arshdeep’s brilliant T20 stats. He also voiced his opinion on the inclusion of the young pace in the team’s playing XI.
“I think it has a Champions Trophy hangover in this playing XI. I have never seen that square as dry as I saw in March in Dubai. This is September, but they have gone with the same tactic. You have to pick your best team. Arshdeep Singh has got more wickets, better numbers than Jasprit Bumrah in T20s for India,” Chopra stated to ESPN Cricinfo.
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Since his debut in the shortest format of the game in 2022, the 26-year-old has scalped a total of 99 wickets in 63 matches. His heroics also include two four-wicket hauls at an overall economy rate of 8.29. Notably, these exceptional stats have also eclipsed Bumrah, who has snared 90 wickets in 70 matches, but at a miraculous economy of 6.27.
Furthermore, the UAE’s head coach Lalchand Rajput has also mentioned the pacer’s snub from the starting XI while praising India’s unbelievable bench strength. But after the fixture, captain Suryakumar noted the playing conditions as the only factor behind the star pacer’s exclusion.
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