Bumrah back, Arshdeep out: Indias predicted playing XI for Super 4 clash against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

After a no-handshake row, pull-out threats and verbal attacks from both sides of the border, India and Pakistan will renew their rivalry when they lock horns with each other in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday, September 21. India thrashed Pakistan by 7 wickets in a lop-sided encounter in the group stage last week.

However, Suryakumar Yadav & Co.'s thumping victory was overshadowed by the controversy over their no-handshake gesture against Pakistan. The Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, leading to a full-blown controversy as Pakistan lodged two complaints with the ICC and threatened to boycott the tournament.

India will look to brush the controversy aside and focus on the game when they take the field against Pakistan in their Super 4 clash in Dubai on Sunday. They have been unbeaten in the tournament so far, recording three wins in a row in the group stage. India will look to make it two wins in two matches against Pakistan on Sunday.

The Men in Blue are expected to make a couple of changes to their playing XI that featured in their final group-stage clash against Oman on Friday. India rested Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy for the Oman clash and replaced them with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

Both Arshdeep and Rana are expected to make way for the duo for the Pakistan clash. Bumrah is India's pace spearhead in T20Is, and his experience and skills will be vital against Pakistan. Chakaravarthy has proved effective in UAE conditions and India are unlikely to tamper with their three-man spin attack for the crucial clash.

There were doubts over Axar's inclusion in India's playing XI for their Super 4 clash against Pakistan after he suffered a head injury during the Oman game on Friday. However, India's fielding coach T Dilip confirmed that Axar is doing fine and is expected to be fit for the Pakistan game. Axar injured his head while fielding during the Oman game.

India's batting line-up is likely to remain unchanged in their upcoming Super 4 clash against Pakistan, having performed well so far. Abhishek Sharma will continue to open with vice-captain Shubman Gill, with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma rotating themselves at no.3 and 4.

Sanju Samson will bat at no.5, followed by Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. Axar Patel can be utilised in the middle or the lower middle order, depending on the situation, making India's batting line-up one of the strongest in the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy