Bengaluru, India – As the Asia Cup 2025 approaches, India’s cricketing focus intensifies on the fitness of key players. All-rounder Hardik Pandya is currently undergoing a routine fitness assessment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru on August 11 and 12, a crucial step before the Asia Cup squad selection. Meanwhile, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who recently resumed batting practice, is expected to require another week at the NCA to achieve full recovery from his sports hernia surgery.
Hardik Pandya’s Fitness Under Scrutiny at NCA
Hardik Pandya, a vital all-rounder in India’s white-ball setup, checked into the NCA for a routine fitness assessment. The 31-year-old has been training in Mumbai since mid-July, preparing for the upcoming tournament. Pandya’s all-round capabilities have been pivotal to India’s recent successes, including the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, making his fitness paramount for the Asia Cup campaign, which begins on September 9.
Sources indicate that the assessment over August 11 and 12 will provide clarity on his match readiness and bowling workload capabilities. Pandya’s form and fitness are crucial, as he is also considered a potential stand-in captain should Suryakumar Yadav not recover in time for the tournament.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Road to Recovery for Asia Cup 2025
India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is still in the final stages of recuperation from the sports hernia surgery he underwent in June in Munich, Germany. While he has shown promising signs by resuming batting practice at the NCA, he is anticipated to remain at the academy for another week to reach full match fitness under the supervision of the physios and medical team.
Yadav recently shared a video on Instagram, showcasing his return to batting drills, running, and various exercises as part of his rehabilitation process, expressing his eagerness to return to action. To prioritize his recovery, Suryakumar had earlier withdrawn from the Duleep Trophy 2025.
Potential Captaincy Scenarios
Suryakumar Yadav’s availability as captain is a major point of discussion within the team management. If he achieves full fitness, he is expected to lead the side in the Asia Cup, a role he has successfully held, leading India to 17 wins in 22 T20I matches. The Asia Cup 2025, scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, is a critical tournament for India, serving as a significant tune-up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
However, should Suryakumar not be fully fit in time, the team management has considered alternative leadership options, including Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and Sanju Samson. The official squad for the Asia Cup 2025 is expected to be announced in the third week of August.
Other Player Updates
Beyond Pandya and Yadav, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer also completed his fitness assessment at the NCA between July 27 and 29. His inclusion in the T20I squad remains to be seen, despite his strong IPL 2025 performance. The Indian team’s robust preparation involves meticulous monitoring of player fitness to ensure a strong contingent for the upcoming continental showpiece.
