India’s Asia Cup 2025 Dubai schedule: player arrivals, practice timings & key details

Defending champions India are set to kick off their final round of preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 with an intensive practice session on Friday evening at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Scheduled from 6 to 9 pm, the training will mark the squad’s first joint workout ahead of the high-profile event.

Unlike previous editions, the team has not held a preparatory camp in India this time around. Instead, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to have the players gather directly in Dubai to streamline the preparation process.

The move allows the side to make the most of extended practice sessions in conditions similar to those they will face during the tournament. With the competition fast approaching, this setup gives India an opportunity to focus on team combinations, match strategies, and overall readiness before stepping onto the big stage.

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Players Start to Fly to Dubai:

Members of the Indian squad have begun making their way to Dubai in phases ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are among the early arrivals, while head coach Gautam Gambhir is set to reach from Mumbai on Thursday evening. Vice-captain Shubman Gill will join the team after departing from Bengaluru.

Unlike a collective departure, the players are traveling individually and reporting at different times. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed the entire squad to assemble in Dubai by Thursday evening. With the team complete, full-fledged preparations for the tournament will commence on Friday with a scheduled training session at the ICC Academy.

Asia Cup to Kick off in September:

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to kick off on Tuesday, September 9, with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. The tournament promises exciting contests right from the start, with several teams eager to make their mark.

India, the reigning champions, will kick off their campaign on September 10 against UAE in Dubai. Their much-anticipated clash with Pakistan is scheduled for Sunday, September 14, a game that always draws global attention. On September 19, India take on Oman, followed by the playoffs starting September 20, where the best teams will compete for a place in the final.

India's squad:

Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, and Dhruv Jurel