India will take on Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup final. Here are their likely playing XIs.
Asia Cup 2025 Final: Focus Shifts to Cricket Amid Rivalry
The India-Pakistan encounters in Asia Cup 2025 have been filled with controversy and aggression, with angry words and barbs exchanged following the Pahalgam attacks and Operation Sindoor. While matches between these two sides always attract attention, a final brings the trophy into focus, placing the spotlight firmly on performance and strategy on the field.
Both teams’ tactics will be closely scrutinized, but each unit largely knows its strengths and approach. Pakistan has experimented during the tournament but now appears settled in its batting order and bowling combinations, fielding an all-rounder-heavy squad. The main question mark is whether Saim Ayub, who has struggled with just 23 runs in six matches including four ducks, will get a chance in the final.
For India, the starting XI looks largely settled, with few expected changes. Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube are likely to return, replacing Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. Fitness remains a concern for India, particularly for all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who bowled only one over against Sri Lanka before leaving the field. Indian coaches, however, have confirmed that both Hardik and Abhishek Sharma are expected to be ready for the final.
India vs Pakistan predicted XI for Asia Cup final
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
