India, Sept. 9 -- The last time Kuldeep Yadav played for India was the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March this year. He did not get a game in the five-match test series against England. It appears that Kuldeep's wait to get back into the India XI will be longer. The left-arm wrist spinner who played a crucial role in India's Champions Trophy victory is unlikely to start in India's Asia Cup XI. Unlike the England tour, this time, however, the reason behind Kuldeep's exclusion is not the team combination but the Dubai pitch.

During their first training session at the Dubai International Stadium on Monday, ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE, India were greeted with a pitch with a greenish tinge.

India did ...