India crushed UAE by 9 wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 opener in Dubai. UAE were bowled out for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs. Kuldeep Yadav starred with 4 wickets, while Shivam Dube took 3. India chased the target easily in 4.3 overs. Abhishek Sharma dominated as opener, while Shubman Gill, returning to the side, scored 20 runs off 9 balls. His six into the stands amazed everyone, including Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, who shouted in excitement from the commentary box. Captain Suryakumar praised his team’s energy and said players are excited for the upcoming clash against Pakistan.

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to urgently hear a plea seeking cancellation of the India–Pakistan Asia Cup T20 match set for September 14. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi said, “What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be.” The petition, filed by four law students, argued that playing Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor was against national interest. They claimed the match dishonored armed forces’ sacrifices. The court, however, dismissed the concerns, stressing that cricket should continue as scheduled. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was named as a respondent. (PC: X)

India started their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a record-breaking nine-wicket win over UAE in Dubai. Chasing only 58, India finished the game in just 4.3 overs, their fastest-ever chase in men’s T20I cricket. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav starred with three wickets in one over, while all-rounder Shivam Dube also took three wickets, dismantling the UAE batting order. Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to bowl first worked perfectly. The quick win gave India a huge boost in Net Run Rate and placed them on top of Group A. India will face Pakistan in their next match on September 14 in Dubai. (PC: BCCI)

At the Asia Cup 2025 captains’ meet in Dubai, a video sparked rumours that India captain Suryakumar Yadav avoided shaking hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. The clip went viral on social media, fueling speculation amid tense relations after Operation Sindoor. However, another video confirmed that Suryakumar did shake hands with Salman as he left the venue. He was also seen greeting Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi. Both captains said they had not told players to curb aggression ahead of Sunday’s clash. The Asia Cup began with eight teams, with strong emotions surrounding the India-Pakistan rivalry. (PC: BCCI)

Kuldeep Yadav is set to miss India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against UAE as conditions in Dubai favour seamers. The pitch showed a green surface, making India likely to pick only one specialist spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy, with all-rounders Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma providing support. Bowling coach Morne Morkel said Kuldeep remains “professional” despite limited game time. Gautam Gambhir is banking on batting depth, with Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube as all-rounders. Jitesh Sharma is likely to be preferred over Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace attack. (PC: HT)

Sanju Samson faces potential Asia Cup 2025 snub despite being in India's 15-member squad. During practice at Dubai's ICC Cricket Academy, Samson was excluded from main batting sessions while Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma participated alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill. Coach Gautam Gambhir held lengthy discussions with Samson about batting arrangements. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman was seen sitting on an ice box, watching others bat multiple times before finally getting solo practice at session's end. Gambhir's preference for batting depth and all-rounders suggests Jitesh Sharma might be favored as finisher. Body language and practice patterns indicate Samson's uncertain position in playing eleven despite recent T20I performances. (PC: Ask Sports Info)

India lifted the Asia Cup hockey title after 8 years with a 4-1 win over Korea in Rajgir on Sunday, September 7. Sukhjeet Singh scored in the first minute, while Dilpreet Singh netted twice. Amit Rohidas added the final goal in the last quarter. Korea pulled one back, but India’s defence stayed strong. This was India’s 4th Asia Cup title and secured their place in the 2026 World Cup. Earlier, Malaysia beat China 4-1 for third place. Japan finished 5th after a 6-1 win over Bangladesh. India ended the tournament unbeaten, showing control, patience, and solid team spirit. (PC: India Today)

India's men's hockey team faces Korea in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, with both a fourth title and World Cup 2026 qualification at stake. After a slow start with narrow wins over China (3-2) and Japan (3-2), India found form with a dominant 7-0 semifinal victory over China, featuring six different goalscorers and zero penalty corners conceded. Korea, the defending champions, struggled through pool stages but staged a dramatic comeback against Malaysia to reach the final. India holds a strong 10-2-10 head-to-head record against Korea, whose last victory came in 2021's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final via shootout. Captain Harmanpreet Singh hasn't scored in three matches, but teammates have stepped up significantly.

Cricket superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are likely to be selected for India A's three unofficial ODIs against Australia A at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur on September 30, October 3, and 5. Both players retired from Test cricket in May 2025 and haven't played competitively since IPL 2025 concluded. Kohli may travel to India this month for fitness assessments in Bengaluru. Their last international appearance was March 9, 2025, during the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. If selected, this series would help them prepare for India's upcoming tour to Australia featuring three ODIs and five T20Is in October-November. Kohli has scored 14,181 ODI runs while Rohit has 11,168 runs. (PC: India Today)

India demolished China 7-0 in a dominant performance to reach the Asia Cup 2025 hockey final against Korea in Rajgir. Abhishek scored twice while Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Rajkumar Pal added goals. India started aggressively, unlike previous matches, taking early control through Lakra's 4th-minute opener. The hosts made 12 circle penetrations by the 20th minute while China managed none. Coach Fulton will be pleased with contributions from 11 different goalscorers throughout the tournament. Korea reached the final after a stunning 4-3 comeback victory over Malaysia, overturning a 1-3 deficit. Hyeonhong Kim scored twice for the defending champions. In the playoff, Kazakhstan finished seventh by defeating Chinese Taipei 6-4 in a ten-goal thriller. (PC: Hockey India)