Star batter Shivam Dube revealed head coach Gautam Gambhir's message to the India players ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 campaign, which will start from a clash against United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 10. India are in Group A, alongside Pakistan, hosts UAE, and Oman. Meanwhile, Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
You have the opportunity to do something new: Gautam Gambhir's message for Team India players
In preparation for the Asia Cup, coach Gambhir said whenever one plays for the country, he has the opportunity to do something new.
“There is always one thing that the coach has always said to every player. Whenever you play for the country, you have the opportunity to do something new,” Dube said in a video posted by the BCCI.
One of the biggest talking points for India is the return of Shubman Gill to the T20I squad. Gill, who last played in this format in July 2024, has been named vice-captain, replacing Axar Patel. The 25-year-old has been in sensational form across all formats. During the 2025 IPL season, he scored 650 runs for the Gujarat Titans at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.88, leading the team to the playoffs. His red-ball credentials are even more impressive, as he recently captained India for the first time in England, guiding them to a 2-2 series draw. In that series, he scored a remarkable 754 runs at a staggering average of 75.40.
“Very excited. I think it's a great group. The way we have been playing in T20s has been nothing short of entertaining cricket. Very happy to join the group,” Gill said in the same video.
India had a full-fledged practice session at the ICC Academy on September 5 to gear up for the continental tournament. And India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted that he is happy after seeing his teammates' commitment and energy during the inaugural training session. He expressed confidence in the squad's prospects for the tournament, citing the high intensity and skill sets displayed by the players during their practice.
“To have such a brilliant bunch around with unbelievable skill sets, I always have a smile on my face when I see those boys on the ground. Because the way they put their body on the line, that’s what I want from them. And they just enjoy on the ground,” Suryakumar said.
India’s squad for Asia Cup:
Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel