India’s quest for a record-extending ninth Asia Cup crown began under the hot Dubai sun on Friday as the defending champions hit the nets at the ICC Academy. With their opening clash against hosts UAE set for September 10, the Men in Blue looked sharp and focused in their first full-fledged session since the England Test series.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, vice-captain Shubman Gill, and youngsters Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma spent long hours in the nets, while wicketkeepers Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma fine-tuned their batting ahead of a packed group stage.
The return of Jasprit Bumrah was the highlight of the day. India’s pace spearhead last featured in T20Is during the 2024 World Cup final, where his brilliant spell helped India lift the trophy. After a 40-day break, Bumrah looked fresh as he shared laughs with teammates and worked closely with bowling coach Morne Morkel.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya, sporting a striking blonde hairdo, drew plenty of attention from fans as he obliged with autographs before resuming fitness drills.
India’s build-up to the Asia Cup has been unique this time — no preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, but instead, an early arrival in Dubai to acclimatise to the UAE conditions. Under the watchful eyes of head coach Gautam Gambhir and his support staff, the squad pushed through fitness routines and light fielding drills before an intense net session.
India, the designated host of this year’s Asia Cup (being staged in the UAE), has been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. The playoffs begin on September 20, and fans are already buzzing about the blockbuster clash against Pakistan on September 14.
With eight titles already in the bag, the defending champions know the road won’t be easy. But judging by the energy at training, India looks more than ready to begin its title defence.
India’s fixtures at Asia Cup 2025:
- India vs UAE – September 10
- India vs Pakistan – September 14
- India vs Oman – September 19
