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The Asia Cup returns this week with India opening its title defence against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Wednesday. However, before that, Afghanistan will take on Hong Kong in the tournament opener on Tuesday.Fans have been anticipating details of an official curtain-raiser, usually a staple of continental tournaments, but clarity on the ceremony remains elusive.
So far, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has issued no notification regarding an opening ceremony, suggesting that the 2025 edition may proceed without one. The focus instead turns directly to cricket, with Suryakumar Yadav’s side juggling ambitions of retaining the Asia Cup while sharpening plans for the Twenty20 World Cup that India will co-host with Sri Lanka next year.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The tournament also brings a marquee clash early on. India’s long-anticipated meeting with Pakistan is scheduled for Sunday, their first encounter since political tensions in May disrupted both the IPL and the Pakistan Super League. The two could potentially square off three times, should they progress to the Super 4 stage and the September 28 final. Oman, making its Asia Cup debut, completes Group A and faces India on September 19.Squad dynamics add intrigue to India’s campaign. Shubman Gill, after a prolific Test season in England, returns to the T20 side as vice-captain, renewing competition for an opening slot alongside Abhishek Sharma. His inclusion casts doubt on Sanju Samson’s role, despite Samson’s explosive but inconsistent run over the past year. Former captain Ravi Shastri has urged management to back Samson as opener, while Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Gill’s comeback as inevitable given his form.Bowling selections appear far more straightforward. Jasprit Bumrah is fit and rested after a busy Test series, supported by Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy lead the slow-bowling attack.Since 2016, the Asia Cup has alternated between ODIs and T20s. With the 2025 edition in the shorter format, the tournament doubles as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup looming in February.
