[WATCH] Fans turn up in Dubai with Rohit Sharma's jersey during IND vs UAE Men's Asia Cup Match 2

For the first time, India head into the multi-national tournament without their two veteran players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The former retired from the shortest format after winning the title during the 2024 T20 World Cup against South Africa in the final in the West Indies and the United States of America. 

Even in Rohit’s absence during the opening clash of the Indian national side against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, fans turned up in Rohit’s shirts outside the stadium and cheered for the Nagpur-born. In a viral video, they were seen strolling out of the park before the start of the game.

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The last action for the Mumbai batter in the field came during the second qualifier of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for the Mumbai Indians against the Punjab Kings. Having retired from the longest format, the right-handed batter has displayed his sole aim to feature in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Watch: Rohit Sharma’s fans turn up in their jerseys during IND vs UAE clash

A video has also grown viral where Rohit was seen getting ready and stating his practice session on a ground. He spent nearly 40 minutes at the nets with his batting. This could be the start of his preparation for the upcoming ODI series against Australia down under next month. That’s where the veteran is expected to return in action.

In the case of India’s opening clash, it was an easy victory for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side. Apart from their opening batters getting double-digit scores, none of the UAE batters got into that mark. Shivam Dube and Kuldeep Yadav shared seven wickets between them to bundle out the Emirates for 57 runs in 13.1 overs of the first innings.

In their chase, Abhishek Sharma’s 30 runs in 16 balls laid the platform as Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 20 runs in nine balls with the help of four boundaries and one six to complete the chase by nine wickets with 93 balls to spare.