India’s hard hitter Shivam Dube has revealed head coach Gautam Gambhir’s inspirational message ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Indian players have reached Dubai and they have started their training sessions at the ICC Academy.

Dube said Gambhir told them to try something new and become better cricketers ahead of the training session. Gambhir has played a key role in getting the best out of the players and the team’s record in T20Is has been fantastic under his tutelage. After the T20 World Cup 2024, India has won 17 out of their last 20 T20Is, including five consecutive series wins.

“Whenever you play for your country, you have the opportunity to do something new. So it was about making use of that training and trying to become a better cricketer,” Dube said in a video posted by the BCCI on social media.

On the other hand, Shubman Gill has been added to the T20I squad and has been named as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy. Gill is excited to join the team and he is looking forward to giving his best.

“Very excited obviously. I think it’s a great group and the way we’ve been playing T20s has been nothing short of entertaining. So excited to join the group,” Gill said.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Hardik Pandya said he spent a lot of time with his son during the rest period and he would look to deliver in the continental tournament.

India, eight-time Asia Cup champions, open their campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10.

India Squad for Asia Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.