New Delhi: The 15-member Indian squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will amp up their preparations for the Asia Cup 2025 during a four-day training camp in the United Arab Emirates. The Men in Blue will gather in Dubai on September 4 for the continental showpiece event, which begins on September 9.
Unlike the usual travel policy, under which the team first assembles in Mumbai before departure, players will reach Dubai in a staggered manner from their respective locations.
The decision to change the travel policy was taken considering the logistics and also the travelling convenience of the players.
Indian players to arrive in Dubai in a staggered manner
“All the players will arrive in Dubai by September 4 evening and the first nets session will be held on September 5 at the ICC Academy. Factoring in the logistical convenience, the players will be allowed to fly in to Dubai from their respective cities,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“Obviously, a few will travel from Mumbai but to ask some of the others to first come to Mumbai and then fly to Dubai doesn’t make sense. In any case, Dubai is a short duration flight compared to other international flights,” he added.
India kick-start their campaign against the UAE on September 10 before facing fierce rivals Pakistan at Dubai on September 14. The defending champion will take on Oman in their third group match on September 19 before the Super Four stage.
Among the cricketers who will travel with the team for the Asia Cup 2025, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are currently in red-ball action for North Zone against East Zone in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal, which began on Thursday. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav is playing for Central Zone against North East Zone.
There is no clarity, though, on whether standby players Prasidh Krishna or Washington Sundar would travel with the main squad as net bowlers.