• Source:JND
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Asia Cup 2025: The Indian cricket team was in action in their first full-fledged practice session ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy on Friday.

The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to be played in the UAE from September 9 to September 28. India will kick off their campaign with the match against the hosts UAE on September 10 before facing their arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14 and Oman on September 19. The playoffs begin on September 20.

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This was the first time the players trained together since the England Test series, which ended in a 2-2 draw last month. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, vice-captain Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma all had extended batting stints in the nets.

Notably, senior players including Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav had a month's rest ahead of the tournament. Interestingly, the Men in Blue didn't hold any preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence ahead of the continental tournament. However, they decided to reach Dubai early to have a taste of the atmosphere and acclimatise as soon as possible.

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Gill, who had a memorable Test series during the England tour, drew plenty of attention as the team went through fitness drills and light skills work. The star batter, who has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian team in the T20Is, recently passed the fitness Test in Bengaluru.

Among the senior players, Bumrah’s return to T20Is was also keenly observed. The star pacer's last appearance in the T20I format came in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Bridgetown, where his two wickets 18 helped India secure a seven-run win over South Africa, and he became the Player-of-the-Series with 15 wickets.

Bumrah was seen having a light conversation with Abhishek, while Samson engaged with the fielding coach and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Earlier, the Men in Blue lifted the Champions Trophy 2025 title in the UAE with a win over New Zealand in the final.

India is the designated host of the tournament, which is being staged across venues in the UAE. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman, while Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

India’s matches at Asia Cup 2025:

India vs UAE – September 10

India vs Pakistan – September 14

India vs Oman – September 19.