“Feels Really Good To Join T20 Group After Long Time”: Jasprit Bumrah As India Begin Asia Cup Prep

Jasprit Bumrah sounded upbeat as he rejoined India’s T20I squad for the first time since the 2024 World Cup final in Bridgetown, with training underway at the ICC Academy in Dubai ahead of the Asia Cup. India open against hosts UAE on September 10, with the marquee clash versus Pakistan on September 14 and a group game against Oman on September 19, before the playoffs begin on September 20.

Bumrah’s Return And Mood

“It feels really good to join the T20 group after a long time,” Bumrah said after an intense session, adding that a short window at home had helped him reset. Calling the setup a “young energy, young people” environment, he said he was looking forward to the next few weeks and the chance to slip straight back into his T20 role.

SKY’s First Take As Captain

Captain Suryakumar Yadav praised the squad’s tone from ball one. “To have such a brilliant bunch around with unbelievable skill sets, I always have a smile on my face when I see those boys on the ground,” he said. “Because the way they put their body on the line, that’s what I want from them. And they just enjoy on the ground.”

Voices From The Nets

Vice-captain Shubman Gill called it “a great group,” adding that the team’s recent T20 cricket has been “entertaining and terrific,” and that he was “very excited to join.” Hardik Pandya, sporting a new blonde look, said he leaned into family time during the break—“I really took some time out for my son”—and started sports training early, describing the current bunch as “exciting talent.”

Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh said the “lively environment” was evident from the outset, with “laughter and banter going around,” and promised full intensity by match one. Shivam Dube echoed head coach Gautam Gambhir’s message: “Whenever you play for your country, you get an opportunity to do something new,” adding that the group had “utilised training” to try to become “better cricketers.”

Training Notes And What’s Next

Day one featured extended batting stints for Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Abhishek Sharma, while the fast bowlers ran through powerplay and death plans under close watch of the support staff. India, eight-time Asia Cup champions and designated hosts for this edition in the UAE, will finalize combinations in the coming sessions as they tune balance and roles for Dubai’s late-evening starts.