The stage is set for the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan on September 28. While fans are eagerly waiting for the ultimate clash, all eyes are on Team India’s playing XI. After a few injury concerns in the Super Four, the big question is – will India stick to its winning combination or make tactical changes?
Injury Updates – No Major Concerns
During the last Super Four match against Sri Lanka, Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma reported fitness issues. However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and bowling coach Morne Morkel later confirmed that the trio is expected to recover in time for the final. This means the changes in India’s XI won’t be due to injuries.
2 Changes Expected in India’s Playing XI
Based on team management’s approach in previous matches, two changes seem inevitable for the big final:
Jasprit Bumrah is set to return in place of Arshdeep Singh.
Shivam Dube is likely to replace Harshit Rana.
Both Bumrah and Dube were rested for the Sri Lanka game, but with a trophy on the line, their return looks certain. A similar situation occurred earlier in the tournament, where Arshdeep and Rana played against Oman but were replaced in the next key match.
India’s Probable Playing XI vs Pakistan
Abhishek Sharma
Shubman Gill
Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya
Shivam Dube
Sanju Samson (wk)
Axar Patel
Varun Chakravarthy
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan’s Probable Playing XI
Pakistan, on the other hand, is expected to field the same combination from the Super Four match against India:
Fakhar Zaman
Sahibzada Farhan
Saim Ayub
Hussain Talat
Mohammad Nawaz
Salman Agha
Faheem Ashraf
Mohammad Haris
Shaheen Afridi
Haris Rauf
Abrar Ahmed
The Final Showdown
With Bumrah and Dube’s return, India’s squad looks stronger and more balanced ahead of the final. Meanwhile, Pakistan will bank on its pace duo Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf to counter India’s top order. Cricket fans can expect a high-voltage thriller as the two arch-rivals clash for the Asia Cup 2025 title.
