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India, fresh off their T20 World Cup victory, are set to begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against hosts United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the defending champions aim for a record-extending ninth title. India holds a strong record with 24 wins since last year's global tournament.

Azmatullah Omarzai's explosive fifty off just 20 balls propelled Afghanistan to a formidable total against Hong Kong in their Asia Cup opener. Omarzai's record-breaking innings, surpassing Mohammad Nabi's previous best, helped Afghanistan score 78 runs in the final five overs. Poor fielding from Hong Kong, including multiple dropped catches, further aided Afghanistan's late-innings surge.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha has given his fast bowlers the green light to be aggressive during the Asia Cup, emphasizing that aggression is inherent to their game. He stressed the importance of playing good cricket and aiming to win the tournament. Agha acknowledged India's strong Asia Cup record but believes any team can win in T20 cricket.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav urges to keep things simple and aims to carry the momentum of the team's exceptional record in bilateral series. He feels that it is always a luxury to have batters in the side who could also contribute with the ball.

Afghanistan begin their Asia Cup campaign against Hong Kong, entering as a dark horse title contenders. Their strength lies in a formidable spin attack led by Rashid Khan, but they face batting challenges with inconsistent performances and limited match practice compared to other participating nations. Despite recent struggles, Ibrahim Zadran has emerged as a batting positive for the team.

India begins their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against UAE on September 10 in Dubai, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan. Shubman Gill's return is set to boost the batting lineup, with Jitesh Sharma taking over as wicketkeeper. The team's bowling attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy.

The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to commence on September 9 in Abu Dhabi, with Afghanistan playing against Hong Kong. India, the defending champions, will begin their campaign on September 10 against UAE in Dubai. The tournament will be played in the T20 format, offering crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

India embarks on a new T20I chapter at the Asia Cup, transitioning after the departure of key veterans. Suryakumar Yadav leads a talented squad, aiming to maintain dominance and fine-tune strategies for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament, featuring intense rivalries and rising stars, is hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with conditions favoring slower bowlers.

Outside the ICC Academy ground in Dubai, Gautam Gambhir was also seen interacting warmly with supporters and signing autographs, further adding to the excitement building around India’s preparations. His popularity, both as a former player and now as a coach, continues to resonate strongly with fans.

Shreyas Iyer, fresh off leading Kolkata to an IPL title in 2024, surprisingly wasn't retained and was acquired by Punjab Kings for a hefty sum. He guided Punjab to the IPL final in 2025, crediting their support for his success. Despite a recent T20 Asia Cup snub, Iyer remains focused, now captaining India A.

Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel has revealed that wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been working hard on his bowling despite not getting a chance to play in England.

Cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri will headline Sony Sports Network's commentary team for the Asia Cup T20. The tournament, featuring India, Pakistan, and others, precedes next year's T20 World Cup. Gavaskar praised Suryakumar Yadav's leadership, while Shastri highlighted the team's blend of experience and youthful talent, anticipating a strong performance in the 2025 Asia Cup.

Pakistan showcased their Asia Cup readiness by defeating Afghanistan in the tri-series final. Mohammad Nawaz's exceptional 5 for 19, including a hat-trick, dismantled Afghanistan for a mere 66. Earlier, Rashid Khan's 3 wickets restricted Pakistan to 141. Nawaz's all-round performance and Pakistan's dominant bowling display secured a convincing 75-run victory, boosting their confidence ahead of the Asia Cup.

Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 75 runs in the tri-series final, with Mohammad Nawaz's hat-trick being the highlight. Nawaz's impressive figures of 5-19 helped Pakistan dismiss Afghanistan for a mere 66 runs. Captain Salman Agha expressed confidence in the team's readiness for the upcoming Asia Cup, emphasising their strategic use of spinners and overall team performance.

Virender Sehwag revealed the emotional toll of India's losses to Pakistan, admitting they sometimes disrupted his focus. Despite averaging 50.65 against them, the frequent defeats affected him deeply. He fondly recalled his masterful 119 against Pakistan in 2008 while fasting, showcasing his determination. India is set to face Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

Despite Sanju Samson's impressive domestic form in the Kerala Cricket League, his place in India's Asia Cup 2025 playing XI is uncertain due to Shubman Gill's return. Irfan Pathan suggests Samson could potentially replacing Jitesh Sharma, but highlighted that he needs to play lower down the batting order to do so.

India faced a disappointing start in the Super4s stage of the Asia Cup, drawing 2-2 with South Korea after leading early. Despite Hardik Singh's initial goal, South Korea surged ahead with two quick goals. Harmanpreet Singh's late assist to Mandeep Singh salvaged a draw, but India's poor finishing and missed penalty corners highlighted a lackluster performance.

Mohammed Shami, a pivotal figure in India's cricket victories, boasts a net worth between ₹55-65 crore, fueled by BCCI contracts, IPL deals, and endorsements with brands like Nike and Puma. Despite personal challenges involving alimony payments to his ex-wife, amounting to ₹3.36 crore, and recent injuries sidelining him, Shami's legacy as a premier fast bowler remains secure.

Former cricketer Madan Lal backed India as strong favourites to defend their Asia Cup title in Dubai, highlighting the importance of Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion and the rising challenge posed by Afghanistan.

Team India will participate in the Asia Cup 2025 without a lead sponsor after Dream11 ended its contract due to new online gaming regulations. Consequently, the 'India' logo on the team's jerseys will be more prominent.