The Indian cricket team began their initial practice session in Dubai on Friday, gearing up for the T20 Asia Cup 2025. Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, the team aims to secure their second title in this eight-nation event starting September 9.
ESPNcricinfo shared a video on X showcasing Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, bowling coach Morne Morkel, and spin experts Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, along with Rinku Singh, entering the ICC academy.
During practice, wicketkeeper/batter Sanju Samson and seasoned seamer Jasprit Bumrah were seen in conversation.
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The Asian Cricket Council shared some photos from the practice session.
The Men in Blue are getting ready! ♂️
India’s first practice session before the #DPWorldAsiaCup2025#ACC pic.twitter.com/OuD4eu6pHW
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 5, 2025
This marks the first major cricket event for the Men in Blue following a nearly month-long break after their last Test series against England.
The Asia Cup initially contested in the 50-over ODI format for its first 12 editions, has alternated between ODIs and T20Is since 2016.
Till now, the Asia Cup has been played in the T20 format twice — first in 2016 and again in 2022. The remaining 14 editions have been ODI. Sri Lanka holds the title of the defending champion of the T20 Asia Cup.
India will launch their campaign against the UAE on September 10, followed by a high-stakes game against Pakistan on September 14. Both matches will take place in Dubai. Their last group stage match is against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
The tournament will advance to the Super 4 stage, where the top two teams from each group will qualify. If India tops Group A, all their Super 4 matches will be in Dubai. If they finish second, one match will be in Abu Dhabi, and the other two in Dubai.
The Super 4 stage is set from September 20 to 26, with the final scheduled in Dubai on September 28.
Team India squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh. Reserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
