On the eve of India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE, one name that startled everyone at the ICC Academy in Dubai was of Abhishek Sharma. The young left-hander turned the optional training session into a hitting spectacle, launching ball after ball over the ropes with clean, effortless timing. Over the course of an hour, Abhishek reportedly struck close to 30 sixes, many sailing beyond the practice facility. He left teammates and support staff shaking their heads in disbelief.
What stood out was the manner of his strokeplay. Abhishek didn’t rely on raw muscle but on pristine hand-eye coordination, as he combined high backlift with a still head to clear boundaries at will. It was brutal yet beautiful. With India set to test different batting combinations in this tournament, his form couldn’t have come at a better time.
Shubman Gill’s mixed outing in the nets
Vice-captain Shubman Gill, who is expected to play a central role in the campaign, had a rather eventful training stint. According to a PTI report, Gill looked elegant against the new ball, smacking cover drives with typical grace. But his session ended on a slightly humbling note when a local net bowler produced a sharp delivery that beat his defence and clipped his off stump.
Making a return to the Indian T20 international side, Shubman Gill will most likely open the innings alongside Abhishek, with Sanju Samson facing an axe. Gill is the vice-captain of the side, meaning he won’t sit on the bench. Not even for Samson, who scored three centuries for India last year.
Jitesh works the gloves, seniors take a breather
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma put in the hard yards after Sanju Samson opted for rest. Under the guidance of fielding coach T. Dilip, Jitesh underwent sharp “no-look” catching drills that tested reaction speed. His involvement in sessions only give away the belief that he is being lined up as India’s starting wicketkeeper for the Asia Cup, ahead of Samson.
Meanwhile, several senior players including Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana skipped the optional training, choosing recovery over practice. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh was seen separately working on fitness drills under strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux, an indication of how workload management remains a key theme in this packed season.
