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On the eve of India's Asia Cup clash with Pakistan, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, who hails from the Netherlands, discovered how India vs Pakistan begins long before the first ball, and why cricket is never just about cricket.

Arshdeep Singh, despite being India’s leading T20I wicket-taker and a World Cup hero, finds himself sidelined under coach Gautam Gambhir’s regime. From missing his Test debut at The Oval to warming benches in the Asia Cup, Arshdeep Singh is probably fighting the most gruesome battle of his career.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has said that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is versatile and can bat at any position in the lineup. He also confirmed on Friday that, although Samson has not regularly featured at No. 5 or 6, he is ready to embrace the challenge.

Asia Cup 2025: Shivam Dube highlights Gautam Gambhir's philosophy that every game for India is a chance to do something miraculous. Despite criticism on the Asia Cup's competitiveness, the team remains focused on playing each match with pride.

Gautam Gambhir's greatest strength as a coach lies beyond tactics — it's his unwavering faith in players. From Harshit Rana to Sanju Samson and Varun Chakravarthy, he backs them when they doubt themselves, turning belief into performance.

There could be a toss-up between Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy for the specialist spinner’s role, while the part-time left-arm spin of Abhishek Sharma could come in handy. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are likely to share new-ball duties while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube have been made to work on their bowling in the nets.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav lightened the mood on Sanju Samson's selection ahead of Asia Cup 2025. The decision remains uncertain as Shubman Gill's return complicates team balance and future planning.

Outside the ICC Academy ground in Dubai, Gautam Gambhir was also seen interacting warmly with supporters and signing autographs, further adding to the excitement building around India’s preparations. His popularity, both as a former player and now as a coach, continues to resonate strongly with fans.

Team India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, delighted fans awaiting their arrival at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai by signing autographs. Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel also interacted with fans, posing for photos and signing autographs.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has cautioned that India might face challenges in the Asia Cup 2025 due to the absence of a third all-rounder. He emphasised the importance of having multiple all-rounders, recalling India's T20 World Cup victory where Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja provided crucial balance.

Team India has commenced preparations for their Asia Cup 2025 title defense with a rigorous practice session in Dubai, fueled by coach Gautam Gambhir's call to seize every opportunity. Key players like Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill participated in extensive drills, emphasising the team's focus on acclimatisation and skill enhancement.

India commenced their Asia Cup 2025 preparations with an inspiring session led by coach Gautam Gambhir. The team aims to build on recent successes as they face tough group stage opponents in the UAE.

India's cricket team concluded their Dubai practice, gearing up to defend their Asia Cup title. Key players like Gill and Yadav participated in batting sessions, while Bumrah rejoined after a break. The team, under coach Gambhir, is set to face UAE, Pakistan, and Oman in Group A, aiming to continue their Asia Cup dominance.

Sunil Gavaskar emphasises Sanju Samson's importance in India's playing XI for Asia Cup 2025. The former captain highlights Samson's versatility amid Shubman Gill's return, signalling a selection challenge ahead.

Gautam Gambhir celebrated Teachers' Day by acknowledging his mentor, Sanjay Bhardwaj, with a humorous post on X, reminiscing about their enduring bond. Gambhir emphasized the importance of honesty and resilience, lessons instilled by Bhardwaj since he joined the LB Shastri Cricket Club at age 10. He credits Bhardwaj's guidance for shaping his cricket career and life.

Defending champions India are set to commence their Asia Cup 2025 preparations with practice sessions in Dubai, foregoing a preparatory camp in India. Players will assemble individually, with captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir already en route. India's campaign begins against UAE on September 10, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on September 14.

Reports suggest the BCCI has approached MS Dhoni to mentor the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Manoj Tiwary humorously commented on Dhoni's elusiveness, questioning his availability. Tiwary also highlighted the potential benefits of Dhoni's experience and the intriguing prospect of him working alongside Gautam Gambhir, while emphasizing that Dhoni's acceptance of the role remains uncertain.

Aakash Chopra suggests Gautam Gambhir's preference for bowlers who can bat might be limiting Kuldeep Yadav's opportunities, despite his improved red-ball form. Kuldeep didn't feature in the England Test series, raising questions about his role under Gambhir's coaching approach. While he's in the Asia Cup squad, a significant role may have to wait for home conditions.

Manoj Tiwary has accused MS Dhoni of favoritism, claiming he wasn't backed despite strong performances, including a century. Tiwary suggests Dhoni's preferences influenced team selection, preventing him from securing a consistent place in the playing XI. He expressed his confusion and disappointment, highlighting a perceived lack of support during Dhoni's captaincy.

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has strongly criticized head coach Gautam Gambhir, labeling him a "hypocrite" for India's upcoming Asia Cup match against Pakistan. Tiwary highlighted Gambhir's previous stance against playing Pakistan, questioning his current role as coach.