India will open their Group A campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10, followed by a high-stakes clash against Pakistan at the same venue on September 14, before facing Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 17th edition of the Asia Cup marks India\u2019s first T20I outing since winning the home series against England by 4-1 in January. The tournament also serves as a crucial build-up platform for India ahead of next year's T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka, where they will enter as the defending champions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On India\u2019s chances in the Asia Cup, Saikia sounded upbeat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe have very high hopes for India\u2019s performance. The team is playing really well in both white-ball and red-ball cricket. Since this Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format, and India are the defending champion, everyone believes that the team is at its peak and will do very well in the upcoming tournament,\" Saikia told IANS on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The six-nation tournament will see India and Pakistan face off on September 14 in Dubai, with the potential for a second encounter in the Super Four stage on September 21.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Addressing the much-discussed possibility of India facing Pakistan, Saikia reiterated the BCCI\u2019s position of aligning with the central government\u2019s policies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe BCCI always follows the directions of the central government. When issues involve multinational political policies or sports policies, we have to abide by the government\u2019s guidelines. Like any other sporting body, the BCCI is bound by the central government\u2019s decisions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"In the Asia Cup, India will play against all participating nations because it is a multinational tournament, and we don\u2019t have any other option. However, if it were a bilateral series with a country with which India has a difficult relationship, then the BCCI could take a call on whether to play or not,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The central government has clearly laid out the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts for all sports federations, including the BCCI, and we strictly abide by those policies.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the recent chatter around Virat Kohli\u2019s fitness, Saikia chose restraint. \u201cI don\u2019t think there is any official confirmation on this matter, so I don\u2019t want to make any comment.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at its headquarters in Mumbai on September 28, with elections being one of the agendas for it, said its secretary Devajit Saikia on Saturday. The BCCI is due to hold elections for five office-bearer posts: president, vice-president, secretary, joint secretary, and treasurer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the recent chatter around Virat Kohli\u2019s fitness, Saikia chose restraint. \u201cI don\u2019t think there is any official confirmation on this matter, so I don\u2019t want to make any comment.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Guwahati will host the opening match on September 30, which will also feature the opening ceremony. Details of the ceremony, including the list of artists performing, will be revealed soon. One artist has already been confirmed \u2014 Shreya Ghoshal, who will perform the tournament\u2019s theme song. The rest of the events for the opening ceremony are lined up, and once everything is finalised, we will share further updates.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n