While Team India cruised previous the United Arab Emirates of their Asia Cup 2025 opener, their eyes have been firmly on Afghanistan, one of Asia’s most formidable T20 sides. Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh have been seen intently watching Afghanistan’s nets for half an hour on Thursday. Later, Rinku Singh joined the group, as India’s stars studied the nuances of their upcoming opponents.
Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma and Arshdeep Singh watching Afghanistan nets carefully.
Afghanistan had made a press release of their opening match, thrashing Hong Kong by 94 runs. Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive half-centuries, mixed with Hong Kong’s high-order collapse, turned the sport right into a one-sided affair. Atal’s aggressive hitting, particularly within the dying overs, and Omarzai’s fast 20-ball fifty showcased the firepower India will must be cautious of. For Team India, the main focus was clear: understanding the strengths, techniques, and variations of Afghanistan’s key gamers. Samson, Pandya, and co. noticed each transfer of the Afghanistan. India themselves had no bother towards UAE, bowling them out for simply 57 earlier than chasing the goal in 4.3 overs. But whereas the victory was scientific, the gamers knew the true check would come towards Afghanistan, whose tempo assault and spin variations might show difficult. India’s concentrate on Afghanistan comes ahead of a high-stakes Group A clash towards Pakistan on Sunday, September 14. Pakistan started their Asia Cup marketing campaign with a scientific 93-run win over Oman, powered by Mohammad Haris’s 66 and a disciplined spin assault that bowled Oman out for 67 in simply 16.4 overs. With each India and Pakistan unbeaten within the event up to now, Sunday’s showdown in Dubai guarantees to be an exciting contest.