Asia Cup 2025: Arshdeep Singh to play against Pakistan? Indian assistant coach drops bombshell statement on playing XI

By Vikas Singh Derek

Vikas Singh Derek has a Master's in Journalism and has written more than 50,000 articles. He currently works as a cricket content writer at Khel Now.

Published at :September 13, 2025 at 11:19 PM

Modified at :September 13, 2025 at 11:19 PM

(Courtesy : ICC)

Arshdeep Singh wasn’t included in India’s playing XI for the first game against the UAE.

Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh is highly likely to be benched during India’s next match in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 against Pakistan. Indian Cricket Team‘s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate openly said that the team is unlikely to make any changes for the clash against Pakistan.

Arshdeep Singh wasn’t included in the Indian playing XI for their opening game of the tournament against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Surprisingly, India went ahead with only one frontline pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, along with seam bowling all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, lending support.

Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy led the team’s spin attack, with the support of all-rounder Axar Patel. Arshdeep Singh’s absence became a talk of the town for fans on social media, as he is the highest wicket-taker for India in the shortest format with 99 scalps.

We are unlikely to make any changes: India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate

Speaking during the pre-match press conference ahead of the India vs Pakistan encounter, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side are unlikely to make any changes to the playing XI.

“We are unlikely to make any changes,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

On Friday (September 12), India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said that the playing XI will be decided after analysing the wicket in Dubai, and the captain and coach will take the final decision.

Notably, Indian bowlers showed a dominating bowling performance against the UAE, dismissing them for just 57 runs in the first innings. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav grabbed the spotlight with his four wickets to win the Player of the Match award.

All-rounder Shivam Dube picked three wickets. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel bagged one scalp each. India defeated the UAE by nine wickets to move to the top spot in the group A points table with two points.

Meanwhile, India will face Pakistan on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan captured a victory by 93 runs in their opening game against Oman on Friday, September 12.

When will match 6 of Asia Cup 2025, IND vs PAK, take place?

The sixth match of Asia Cup 2025 between India and Pakistan will be played on Sunday, September 14.

Where will match 6 of Asia Cup 2025, IND vs PAK, take place?

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai will host the match.

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Vikas Singh Derek

Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.