Mumbai: In a departure from long-standing norms, Indian cricketers will not huddle together for a collective journey to Dubai for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Instead, each player will chart their own path to the Emirati city, arriving from various locations across the globe.
This shift, driven by logistical pragmatism, signals a modern twist in how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) manages its star-studded squad amid packed schedules and personal commitments.
The tournament, kicking off on September 9 in the glitzy confines of Dubai, promises high-stakes action with India facing their opening clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) just a day later on September 10.
The Men in Blue will touch down in Dubai by the evening of September 4, allowing ample time for acclimatisation and practice sessions. The first net practice is slated for September 5 at the ICC Academy, setting the stage for what could be a dominant campaign.
Traditionally, the Indian team assembles in Mumbai before embarking as a unit – a ritual that fosters camaraderie and media buzz. But this time, the BCCI has rewritten the playbook.
A senior board official, speaking to PTI, explained the rationale: “We’ve prioritised logistics and player convenience. All players will converge in Dubai by September 4 evening, but they’ll fly directly from their respective cities. Some might depart from Mumbai, while others won’t need to detour there first.”
This flexible arrangement accommodates players scattered across domestic commitments like the Duleep Trophy, international T20 leagues, or much-needed rest periods.
Ponder this: In an era where cricketers juggle multiple formats and franchises, does such independence in travel liberate them from unnecessary fatigue, or might it dilute the pre-tournament bonding? The squad, captained by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav with Shubman Gill as his deputy, boasts a blend of explosive talent and seasoned prowess. The 15-member lineup includes Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh. Notably, standby players Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, and Washington Sundar will remain on alert but won’t join the travel party.
India’s group-stage itinerary adds to the intrigue, with a much-anticipated showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai, followed by a fixture against Oman on September 19. As the team navigates these encounters, the spotlight will undoubtedly fall on how this novel travel strategy plays out – will it prove a masterstroke in efficiency, or spark debates on team cohesion?