Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa said Suryakumar Yadav’s team must not be lenient against smaller teams in Asia Cup. India will begin their campaign against the minnows UAE but they would not want to be complacent against the hosts.

India are the eight-time champions of the continental tournament and would look to come up with a collective effort. The Men in Blue has a potent squad and would start the tournament as red-hot favorites. India is drawn in Group A with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has been added to India’s squad and he is going to hold the key for the defending champions.

“I think complacency is a danger, so I’d make sure they take every game respectfully,” Uthappa said on Sony Sports. “The quality of players is so good that sometimes you can take your foot off the pedal, thinking, ‘Listen, we’ll dominate, so you can relax.’ That is something they need to look out for.”

Uthappa said it would be imperative for the team to keep players at the top of their fitness and manage them with guile.

“They need to make sure the health of the team is really good,” he explained. “In this unit, there may be two or three more guys who are going to be the key contenders for the World Cup next year. So you want everyone getting along, keeping the dressing room atmosphere light, but at the same time, playing for each other.”

The former flamboyant batter said a team like Afghanistan can put pressure on India. 

“A team like Afghanistan, where the bowling is really good, can put pressure on them,” Uthappa concluded.

India will open their campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10.