Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025: India A vs UAE – Group B Opener Preview, Probable XIs, Schedule, and Broadcast Guide

Doha, 14 November 2025The Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 .

The revamped Emerging Teams Asia Cup – bursts into life today at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, Qatar, with a double-header that sets the tone for 10 days of T20 fireworks. Kicking off the action at 12:00 PM IST is Pakistan Shaheens vs Oman, but the real intrigue builds for the evening clash: India A vs UAE at 5:00 PM IST (1:30 PM local time). For India A, led by IPL finisher Jitesh Sharma, this is the perfect warm-up before the blockbuster showdown against Pakistan A on November 16. For UAE, the gritty associates under Alishan Sharafu, it’s a golden chance to make a statement and chase a semi-final spot in Group B. This T20 tournament, running from November 14-23, features eight teams – A squads from full members (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) and full-strength sides from associates (UAE, Oman, Hong Kong) – divided into two groups. Top two from each advance to semifinals on November 21, with the final on November 23. All eyes will be on Doha’s balanced pitches, which offer true bounce for strokeplay but grip for spinners later, especially under dew in evening games.India A enter as overwhelming favorites, boasting IPL-proven talent and a teenage prodigy. UAE, fresh from qualifying via the 2024 ACC Premier Cup, bring seam variation and all-round depth but have struggled against subcontinental firepower recently (lost last five T20Is by an average margin of 45 runs). Head-to-head? India hold a 4-0 edge in T20Is, including a 104-run thrashing in the 2022 Asia Cup. But in Doha, with dew aiding chases, UAE could flip the script if their openers fire.

Key Stat: India A vs UAE

India A’s batting strike rate in domestic T20s this year? A blistering 152. UAE’s bowling economy? 8.2 – vulnerable to power-hitters like Ashutosh Sharma.

The Venue: India A vs UAE The Asia Cup Rising Stars

Doha’s T20 CrucibleWest End Park International Cricket Stadium hosts every ball of the 15-match extravaganza. Expect early swing for pacers, true pace for batters in the powerplay, and spin assistance post-10 overs. Dew factor? High in the 5:00 PM IST slot – teams winning the toss may bowl first. Average 1st innings score: 165. Weather: Clear, 28°C – ideal for sixes.

Probable Playing Xis:India A vs UAE Asia Cup Rising Stars

Both captains – Jitesh Sharma (India A) and Alishan Sharafu (UAE) – have hinted at balanced attacks, with India leaning on spin and UAE on seam. Standbys for India: Gurnoor Brar, Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Sameer Rizvi, Shaik Rasheed. UAE’s bench includes Muhammad Arfan, Syed Haider (wk).

India A

(Captain: Jitesh Sharma | Coach: VVS Laxman – Special Invite)A powerhouse unit with 8 IPL-contracted players. Expect the 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi to debut as opener – his U19 ODI ton (fastest ever) has tongues wagging.Probable XI: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, Naman Dhir (vc), Nehal Wadhera, Jitesh Sharma (c/wk), Abishek Porel (wk), Ashutosh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Harsh Dubey, Suyash Sharma, Yash Thakur.
Impact Subs: Gurjapneet Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Suryansh Shedge, Yudhvir Singh.
Strategy: Powerplay blitz (Suryavanshi-Arya), middle-overs spin choke (Suyash-Harsh), death fireworks (Ashutosh-Jitesh).

Full Squad:

Jitesh Sharma (c/wk), Naman Dhir (vc), Abishek Porel (wk), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nehal Wadhera, Ramandeep Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Suyash Sharma.

UAE

(Captain: Alishan Sharafu | Coach: Lalchand Rajput)A blend of experience (Aayan Khan’s all-round nous) and youth. They’ll target India’s middle order with seam swing early.

Probable XI:

Alishan Sharafu (c), Rohid Khan, Aayan Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Mayank Kumar, Ethan D’Souza, Sohaib Khan (wk), Muhammad Jawadullah, Zahid Ali, Muhammad Irfan, Ahmed Tariq.

Impact Subs: Yayin Rai, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Shah, Faraazuddin.

Strategy: Powerplay seam (Irfan-Zahid), all-round control (Aayan), tail-end resistance.Full Squad: Alishan Sharafu (c), Aayan Khan, Rohid Khan, Mayank Kumar, Zahid Ali, Muhammad Irfan, Harshit Kaushik, Yayin Rai, Ethan D’Souza, Ahmed Tariq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Sohaib Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Shah, Faraazuddin.

Match Prediction:

India A to Cruise, UAE to Fight BackIndia A are 85% favorites – their batting depth (SR 155+) should overpower UAE’s attack on a flat track. Watch for Suryavanshi’s debut fireworks and Suyash Sharma’s googlies. UAE could surprise if Aayan Khan (28 T20I wickets) strikes early.Bold Call: India A 182/6 (Suryavanshi 65, Ashutosh 40*) batting first; UAE 148/8 (Aayan 45). India win by 34 runs. Toss: India to bowl if dew looms.

Tournament Schedule Snapshot (All Times IST | Venue: West End Park, Doha)

Group stage: Nov 14-19. Semis: Nov 21 (12:00 PM & 5:00 PM). Final: Nov 23 (7:00 PM).

Group B Standings (Pre-Match): All teams on 0 points. India A aim for a winning start to top the table.

Live Scores, Telecast, and Streaming DetailsDon’t miss a ball – the tournament is fully broadcast in India, with global access via digital platforms.

• Live Scores: Ball-by-ball updates on ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and Sony LIV app (free scorecards). Official ACC site for stats and highlights.
• Live Telecast (India):
  • Sony Sports Ten 1 / Ten 1 HD (English commentary).
  • Sony Sports Ten 3 / Ten 3 HD (Hindi commentary).
  • Regional: Sony Sports 3/4 for select languages.
• Live Streaming (India & Global):
  • Sony LIV app/website (subscription: ₹299/month; HD with replays, multi-angle views, expert analysis by Ravi Shastri & Harsha Bhogle).
  • FanCode (select regions; pay-per-match option).
  • Free highlights on ACC YouTube post-match.
• Radio: Live commentary on Radio Mirchi (India) or apps like TuneIn for global listeners.

For UAE viewers: OSN Sports. Pakistan: Geo Super (select matches). Start times: 5:00 PM IST = 2:30 PM UAE / 9:30 AM GMT.

As the anthems play at 4:30 PM IST, this isn’t just a Group B opener – it’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s world stage debut and UAE’s underdog roar. India A seek dominance; UAE, defiance. Tune in – Asia’s stars are rising.