Dubai: Team India has begun fine-tuning its preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup, set to begin on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. The training session at ICC Academy Oval was filled with high intensity, friendly banter, and a few competitive duels.
Vice-captain Shubman Gill and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah engaged in a lively contest, with Gill cheekily remarking “Stiff legs” as Bumrah sprinted and dived around the ground. Bumrah waved him off with a smile before resuming his drills. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson observed from the sidelines after an energy-sapping 30-minute batting stint in the sweltering humidity.
Samson also trained alongside Jitesh Sharma, his direct rival for the wicketkeeper’s slot, and later watched Jitesh go through his keeping drills.
The session began with stretching routines, shuttle runs, high knees, and light throws before the nets battle heated up. Gill showcased his timing with a crisp drive through the covers, only for Bumrah to answer back with a sharp nip-backer that beat him. Their mini face-off drew plenty of attention.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, returning from sports hernia surgery, batted alongside Gill as he looked to regain fluency. Earlier, Jitesh Sharma, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma rotated in the nets, with Abhishek even experimenting with left-arm spin, wrist spin, and backspinners.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel closely monitored Shivam Dube’s run-up and rhythm. Among the pacers, while Bumrah and Hardik Pandya bowled in spells, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana focused more on fitness and mobility drills than bowling.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai, followed by the much-awaited clash against Pakistan on September 14, and will wrap up the group stage against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
India’s Asia Cup Squad:
Suryakumar 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
Reserves: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal
