Aakash Chopra picks combined IND-PAK playing XI ahead of Asia Cup 2025 match; gives stunning twist

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has named his combined India-Pakistan XI ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 clash. The two arch-rivals are scheduled to face off in the sixth game of the tournament on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Ahead of the much-anticipated showdown, Chopra named his combined XI in a video shared on his YouTube channel, where he picked India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill and world No.1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma as his opening pair. At No.3, he slotted in wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson.

For the No.4 spot, Chopra picked India’s skipper and third-highest run-scorer in T20Is for the Men in Blue, Suryakumar Yadav (2605 runs). At No.5, the 47-year-old opted for Tilak Varma, the ICC’s second-ranked T20I batter, who has scored 749 runs in 24 innings with three fifties and two centuries.

Chopra then included the No.1-ranked all-rounder Hardik Pandya at No.6, followed by Shivam Dube at No.7. The 32-year-old impressed in India’s opening game against the UAE, returning figures of 3/4 in two overs. Spin-bowling all-rounder and Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel was placed at No.8.

Aakash Chopra picks Jasprit Bumrah as the lone frontline seamer in his IND-PAK playing XI

In the bowling department, Aakash Chopra went with mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. The 34-year-old has enjoyed an impressive run over the past 12 months in India’s colors, featuring in 19 T20Is and picking up 34 wickets.

Next, the former opener slotted in left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The 30-year-old won the Player of the Match award in India’s clash against the UAE, returning figures of 4/7 in 2.1 overs.

At No.11, Chopra included India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The right-arm seamer has represented India in 71 T20Is, claiming 90 wickets at an average of 17.75 and a strike rate of 16.9.

Aakash Chopra’s combined India-Pakistan XI: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.

About the author

Dev Sharma is a cricket journalist at Sportskeeda with over three years of experience. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has previously worked at Times Now as a sports writer.

His degree has empowered him with a good understanding of ethics in journalism and effective interviewing techniques, which he employs in his articles. He researches and verifies facts from multiple sources and remains impartial in his viewpoints. He has had the privilege of interviewing renowned sports journalist Vijay Lokapally.

Dev loves cricket because of its ability to keep spectators on the edge of their seats and its ability to foster a sense of community and shared passion. He is a staunch supporter of the Indian cricket team and his favorite cricketer is Yuvraj Singh, especially after he hit those iconic six sixes in an over in 2007. He also admires Rohit Sharma’s leadership as he led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles and Team India to the T20 World Cup.

When he’s not working, Dev enjoys watching football or catching up on his sleep.

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Edited by Dev Sharma