NEW DELHI: Team India is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the Asia Cup, with players putting in long and intense practice sessions in the hot and humid conditions ahead of their opener against the UAE on Wednesday in Dubai.

The team also went through rigorous fielding drills under the watchful eye of fielding coach T Dilip, a video of which was shared by the BCCI on its X handle on Tuesday. In the clip, Dilip and captain Suryakumar Yadav can be seen giving the players a pep talk, stressing the importance of fielding.

India's opening clash against the UAE will serve as a dress rehearsal for the much-anticipated showdown with Pakistan on September 14. While the contest may look straightforward on paper, it offers the team management a chance to fine-tune combinations that could be crucial in the latter stages of the tournament.

Within the Indian setup, the wicketkeeping debate appears settled for now. Jitesh Sharma's finishing abilities have been given priority over Sanju Samson's flair at the top, tilting the balance in the Vidarbha player's favour.

The return of Shubman Gill at the top has also reshaped the batting order. Despite Samson's reputation as an aggressive stroke-maker, he looks likely to miss out, with India preferring a more balanced and stable combination.