The Asia Cup 2025 is upon us as the multi-nation continental competition is all set to be staged in UAE this year in a T20 format.
On September 10, reigning champions India will begin their title defence campaign and in their tournament opener, the Men in Blue will take on hosts UAE.
India are clubbed in Group A in the Asia Cup, alongside UAE, Oman and arch-rivals Pakistan. Their match against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai.
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Last month, BCCI announced the final India squad that will travel to the Middle East for the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav, as expected, retained his place in the team as the leader of the pack, while India test captain Shubman Gill returned to the T20 squad and was appointed as SKY's deputy.
There were controversies regarding the omission of certain players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer, who displayed great form in the shortest format in the past few months.
However, now that the tournament is fast approaching, the team management will start working on chalking out a strategy to approach the matches and select the perfect team combination.
READ: India schedule at Asia Cup 2025
Mohammad Kaif questions India's team combination ahead of Asia Cup 2025
Former India international Mohammad Kaif felt that India would have a selection as they have picked just two all-rounders in their squad in Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel.
Kaif further claimed that Washington Sundar, who had a terrific outing in the Test tour of England, could have proved to be an asset to the Indian team.
On X, Kaif wrote: "Rohit's team won the T20 World Cup with 3 all-rounders - Axar, Jadeja, Hardik - and that meant 6 proper bowling options and batting till 8. At the Asia Cup, with only 2 genuine all-rounders - Hardik and Axar. - India will have to find a new winning combination. Washington Sundar will be missed."
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What next for the Indian cricket team?
India will take on hosts UAE in their tournament on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.