The India National Cricket Team is preparing to break away from one of its longest-standing traditions as it gears up for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE. The 15-member squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has been in Bengaluru for a preparatory camp and fitness clearance ahead of the much-anticipated continental event.
Historically, Indian cricketers have always assembled at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai before departing for major tournaments, usually boarding the same flight as a unit. This practice has long symbolized unity and order within the team. However, the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 will mark a change. For the first time, players will fly directly from their respective cities to Dubai, eliminating the need for a pit stop in Mumbai.
The decision, according to the BCCI, has been made to ease travel pressure and avoid unnecessary fatigue. Players are expected to report in Dubai by the evening of September 4, ahead of their first training session at the ICC Academy on September 5. This gives the squad a few crucial days to adapt to conditions before opening their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10.
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A senior BCCI official explained the shift in approach, noting that asking every player to travel via Mumbai made little sense when Dubai is just a short flight away. “Obviously, a few players will still depart from Mumbai, but expecting everyone to do so would only add to their travel stress. Direct travel is logistically smarter,” the official told PTI.
While logistics and player comfort remain the official reasoning, another factor could be the intense media spotlight in Mumbai, particularly around the India-Pakistan fixture. With political voices, former cricketers, and fans expressing strong opinions ahead of the clash on September 14, the BCCI might be keen to minimize distractions before such a high-stakes encounter.
Suryakumar Yadav-led India’s 15-member squad will arrive in Dubai from their cities by September 4.https://t.co/WV2TlOMkbb
— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) August 28, 2025
India’s group-stage fixtures include the opener against UAE on September 10, the blockbuster against Pakistan on September 14, and a final league match against Oman on September 19. These matches will test India’s adaptability under new captain Suryakumar Yadav, who steps into his biggest leadership role yet.
Meanwhile, some players named in the Asia Cup squad remain active in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are featuring for North Zone in their quarterfinal against East Zone, while Kuldeep Yadav is representing Central Zone against North East Zone.
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Interestingly, standby players Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar will not accompany the main squad as net bowlers, further underlining the BCCI’s focus on streamlined travel and minimal logistical burden. With this bold break from tradition, India is not only modernizing its travel strategy but also ensuring its players reach Dubai fresher and more focused. All eyes will now be on how the Men in Blue translate this off-field change into on-field results.
