India is all set to face arch-rivals Pakistan in the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 (Sunday) at the Dubai International Stadium. As fans eagerly await this blockbuster clash, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is about India’s playing XI — more specifically, whether Shivam Dube or Arshdeep Singh will get the nod for the high-pressure game.
India’s Playing XI Dilemma: Shivam Dube vs Arshdeep Singh
Heading into the final, the Indian team management, led by Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, faces a tricky selection call. In the last Super Fours game against Sri Lanka — which had no bearing on qualification — India rested key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube, offering opportunities to Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.
While Harshit and Arshdeep picked up two wickets between them, they were expensive, conceding 100 runs in 8 overs. However, Arshdeep redeemed himself in dramatic fashion, delivering a match-winning Super Over where he gave away just two runs, sealing India’s unbeaten run in the tournament.
Despite this late-game heroics, Arshdeep’s inclusion in the final appears unlikely, as it would weaken India’s batting depth — something the team has consistently avoided in this tournament. Arshdeep’s selection would push India’s batting to effectively end at No. 7, going against their preferred strategy of playing a batting all-rounder at No. 8.
Why Shivam Dube Has the Edge
So far in Asia Cup 2025, Shivam Dube has justified his selection. Acting as the team’s sixth bowling option, the tall seam-bowling all-rounder has bowled 10 overs, picking up 5 wickets at an average of 15.60 and an economy rate of 7.80.
In India’s most recent match against Pakistan, Dube made a decisive impact by removing both set batters, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, who had helped Pakistan to a flying start at 91/1 in 10 overs. Dube’s timely breakthroughs triggered a collapse, helping India restrict Pakistan to 171, a total they chased down with ease.
India’s strategy in the tournament has been clear: go with one frontline seamer (Bumrah), three spinners (Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel), and two pace-bowling all-rounders (Hardik Pandya and Dube). This combination has worked well, especially on slower pitches in Dubai, and there’s no indication that India will shift from that template in the final.
India’s Probable XI for Asia Cup 2025 Final vs Pakistan
Here’s how India’s lineup is expected to look for the final:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Shubman Gill
- Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper)
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Varun Chakaravarthy
