The build-up to the Asia Cup 2025 offered a striking comparison in Dubai on Tuesday evening. India and Pakistan prepared in adjacent venues, yet their training sessions carried completely different tones. India’s camp worked with full energy and discipline, while Pakistan appeared more casual and relaxed.
India entered the ground at 6 pm and immediately launched into structured drills. The session lasted close to three hours and featured both fitness and skill-based routines. Strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux guided vice-captain Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma through demanding Bronco runs, while other batters focused on range-hitting. Their powerful shots often cleared the nets and landed on the nearby ground scheduled for Pakistan later in the evening.
India Maintains Discipline and Focus
The Indian side looked sharp and well-prepared throughout the evening. Players completed warm-ups, bowled extended spells, and batted against rotating attacks. Each segment of the practice carried a competitive edge, reflecting the squad’s intent to stay ahead in the tournament.
A brief break came when captain Suryakumar Yadav cut a cake arranged by the media to mark his 35th birthday. The team quickly returned to work, showing that celebrations would not distract them from their goals. India next play Oman on Friday, and the disciplined session signaled how seriously they are treating the upcoming contest.
Pakistan Opts for a Relaxed Routine
Pakistan arrived much later, stepping onto the field around 8 pm. Despite speculation that they might skip practice, the squad eventually took part in a short routine. Their exercises revolved around a football-passing drill, with laughter and casual chatter marking most of the session. The lighter workload came only days after a heavy loss to India, raising questions about the team’s approach.
Head coach Mike Hesson later supervised a limited net practice. Fakhar Zaman faced deliveries from Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Nawaz, but the intensity paled in comparison to India’s effort. “The contrasting intensity of the two training sessions underscored the widening gulf in standards with each passing day,” PTI reported.
Pakistan face their final group clash on Wednesday. Whether their relaxed training helps them recover or exposes further weaknesses will soon be revealed in the Asia Cup 2025.
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