After an intense Test series against England that ended in a 2-2 draw, Team India now faces a busy few months across all formats. With Mohammed Siraj's
match-winning spell at The Oval still fresh, the focus now shifts to white-ball cricket, particularly the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE.
However, a big question remains: Will India play any T20I series as a build-up to the tournament?
Traditionally, the Indian team has played preparatory matches or bilateral series ahead of major tournaments to fine-tune combinations and assess player form. Whether it's a short T20I series or intra-squad warm-up games, India rarely enters a big-ticket event without a rehearsal of sorts. That makes the absence of a confirmed T20I series ahead of the Asia Cup somewhat unusual.
As of now, there has been no official word from the BCCI regarding any such preparatory games. With a little over a month to go, time is running out for the board to slot in a quick series. Yet, given India's preference for match readiness, it wouldn't be surprising if an announcement is made soon. For now, fans and experts alike will have to wait and watch.
This year's Asia Cup carries added importance as it will be India's first major T20I assignment following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the format. Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead a young side, and a warm-up series would help the team get into rhythm under his leadership. SKY has returned to train at the NCA after a sports hernia surgery and he is getting ready to be fit in time for the big event.
India's group includes UAE, Pakistan, and Oman, with all matches to be held in the UAE. A couple of games before September 9 would be ideal to help new players acclimatize to conditions and allow the team management to finalize the best XI.
Until an official update arrives, the possibility of a pre-Asia Cup T20I series remains uncertain-but not entirely ruled out.
