India begin title defence against UAE today

Defending champions India will open their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against hosts UAE today in Dubai, marking their first major tournament since the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after the 2024 World Cup triumph.

The match will start at 8.30pm Bangladesh Time.

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India enter the tournament as overwhelming favourites to retain their crown. With Shubman Gill recalled to bolster the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma — the world's top two T20 batters — their line-up is packed with power.

Jasprit Bumrah's return adds further weight, with the pace spearhead expected to be decisive both in the Powerplay and at the death.

Sanju Samson is likely to miss out, with Shubman Gill set to open alongside Abhishek. For UAE, the fixture is a chance to shine on the big stage despite recent struggles, having failed to win a match in a home tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan.

HIGHLIGHTS

UAE have faced India only once in T20Is, suffering a nine-wicket defeat in the 2016 Asia Cup. They also lost all three ODIs against India, the most recent in the 2015 World Cup.

Since the last T20 World Cup, India boast a dominant 24–3 win-loss record in T20Is.