IND Vs UAE, Asia Cup 2025: Sanju Samson's Inclusion In India's Playing XI Leaves Fans Buzzing

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has made it to the playing XI for the Men in Blue's opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 against the hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, September 10.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, entered the eight-time continental tournament as the defending champions, looking to kickstart their campaign on a winning note against the UAE and set the tone for a strong Asia Cup title defence. The Men in Blue have headed into their opener as favourites to win the match, given their experience, strong form, and a well-balanced squad.

Sanju Samson finds a place in India's XI

Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and decided to bowl first to kick off their Asia Cup title. Fresh wicket, humidity, and a dew factor later in the match were the key reasons behind Yadav's decision to bowl first, allowing the batters to take advantage of easier batting conditions under the lights.

“We'll bowl first. Looks a nice fresh wicket. Humid also today, might be dew later. If we get an opportunity, we're flexible to do anything, but today we want to bowl. We came here early, had 3-4 good practice sessions, and also a day off,” Suryakumar told Sanjay Manjrekar at the toss.

One of the biggest news from India's playing XI is the inclusion of Sanju Samson for the opening match against the UAE. Earlier, it was reported that the Kerala cricketer was unlikely to get picked in the team as management was expected to give a nod to Jitesh Sharma, who had more batting sessions in the nets compared to Samson, but the team management ultimately decided to back Samson's experience.

In the playing XI, Samson has been slotted to the No.5 spot from the opening spot, as Team India management went with the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

#TeamIndia's Playing XI for #INDvUAE Who will get the first breakthrough for us? Follow The Match ▶️ #AsiaCup2025 twitter/7rgesh2nNq

- BCCI (@BCCI) September 10, 2025

Sanju Samson's inclusion in India's playing XI marked his first outing in the International Cricket Council (ICC) or Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournament. Samson was part of the Indian squad that won the T20 World Cup last year, but did not get a single game as Rishabh Pant was the preferred wicketkeeper-batter for the Men in Blue in the marquee event.

Netizens' ecstatic over Samson's inclusion

As India's playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE, netizens were quite ecstatic over Samson's inclusion, flooding social media with praise and excitement to watch him in action.

Taking to their X handles (formerly Twitter), the fans were quite elated to see Sanju Samson's name in India's playing XI, while slamming the earlier reports of his possible exclusion from the team for the opener against the UAE.

We are taking really good care of Sanju Samson. Don't worry, we will make the right decision tomorrow: Suryakumar Yadav. Loud cheers from the crowd as Samson's name is announced in the XI. #AsiaCup2025 twitter/TLFgS8qhbX

- Dhruva Prasad (@DhruvaPrasad9) September 10, 2025

There is a reason I never gave up on Gautam Gambhir despite all the outside noise. Sehwag once said if Gambhir feels a player can win you matches for him he will back that player no matter what. And he believes Sanju Samson is one such player.

- Anurag (@Samsoncentral) September 10, 2025

Sanju Samson behind the wicket of the best wicket keeper of the world SELF LESS SAMSON twitter/zNXydPFn69

- Dhruv Thakur (@Dhruv_Thakur___) September 10, 2025

Given all the“confirmed reports” and how confident everybody was, I can now flex that I had Sanju Samson in my starting XI But this should have been a straight selection, right? (Even with Gill being the VC) #INDvUAE

- Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) September 10, 2025

"Thanks Mohammed Shami sir for supporting Sanju Samson You showed true sportsman spirit and fairness, while many do negative PR against him. Not like some who just push agendas. Respect! ⚡" twitter/jwPT757ASb

- CRICKET CULTURE (@CRICCULTURE09) September 10, 2025

Really that shuts the door for Sanju. But Sanju Samson has broken those doors and entered the team.#INDvUAE #INDvsUAE #UAEvsIND #AsiaCup2025 twitter/zJVsm43NLz kuldeep singh (@kuldeep0745) September 10, 2025

All reports suggested Sanju Samson wouldn't make the XI. Not sure where these so-called leaks even come from. twitter/Glk7ibUsBD

- Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) September 10, 2025

Sanju Samson has been given a long rope since the T20I series against Bangladesh after Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill stepped away from the format to focus on red-ball cricket. Samson was paired with Abhishek Sharma at the top–order and was quite impressive with his batting.

In the last three T20I series against Bangladesh, South Africa, and England, Sanju amassed 417 runs, including three centuries, at an average of 37.90 in 12 matches. He was the first Indian player to score two consecutive centuries in T20I history.

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