Dubai: With the much-anticipated Group A clash against arch-rivals Pakistan around the corner, Team India is leaving no stone unturned in training, focusing on skill refinement and tactical strategies.
The session began with light warm-ups and stretching before the nets came alive. Young pacer Harshit Rana was engaged in a focused discussion with left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, while mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav worked on their rhythm ahead of the high-stakes encounter.
Hardik Pandya injected his usual energy, steaming in with full effort during his bowling session. He was seen consulting closely with bowling coach Morne Morkel, likely fine-tuning plans against Pakistan’s batting lineup. At the other end, opener Shubman Gill looked fluent, timing his strokes with elegance and precision.
Fielding drills saw Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma throwing themselves around with the intensity that a pressure-cooker match demands.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir was spotted in discussion with wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. Samson, who didn’t open in India’s last game against the UAE, is expected to have a key role against Pakistan.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, along with a few teammates, observed Afghanistan’s training session from the sidelines.
In their opening Asia Cup 2025 match, Team India bundled out the UAE for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs, with only openers Alishan Sharafu (22) and skipper Muhammed Waseem (19) reaching double figures. Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill led a clinical chase, achieving the target in just 4.3 overs with the loss of a single wicket.
Team India squad for Asia Cup 2025:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
Reserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
