It has been an unusually quiet build-up to the Asia Cup for India despite a T20 World Cup campaign at home looming in February-March next year. While Pakistan and Bangladesh have crammed in 19 and 15 T20Is, respectively, into their calendars since the Champions Trophy in March, and Sri Lanka has also warmed up with six T20Is in the last two months, India has featured in all of five T20 games in 2025.

As many as 12 members of India’s 15-member squad last featured in an international match in February-March, which straddled the T20Is against England at home and the Champions Trophy. The duo that has played for India more recently—Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah—has been away from T20Is for more than a year. Meanwhile, Jitesh Sharma is staging a comeback after representing the national side last in January 2024.

But India still starts as the favourite to clinch the continental title, and its Asia Cup campaign opener against the host United Arab Emirates (UAE) allows Suryakumar Yadav’s men to ease into the rhythm of the format. They arrived in Dubai on Thursday and held three practice sessions in the stifling heat that has engulfed the metropolis in temperatures hovering between 42 and 52 degrees Celsius late into the afternoon.

– Dhruva Prasad

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Asia Cup 2025: India hopes to ease into rhythm with campaign opener against UAE

Despite playing just five T20Is this year, Suryakumar Yadav’s India starts as favourite to clinch the title. But it still needs to brave the Dubai heat and figure out the playing combination as it begins its tournament on Wednesday.