Players returning from England will have difficulty in coping with UAE conditions: Rohit Sharma

The momentum is building ahead of the Asia Cup which begins on Saturday and Indian captain for the tournament Rohit Sharma has revealed his assessment of the conditions prevailing. According to Sharma, the members of the side who are going to the UAE directly from England to participate in Asia Cup will find the hot and humid conditions difficult to adjust with. Sharma is leading the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli who has been rested after the gruelling England tour.

India haven’t played in the UAE since 2006 when they locked horns with Pakistan in a two-ODI series which was drawn 1-1. Sharma, 31, said his teammates joining the squad directly from England would also need some rest. Five members from the Test squad that did the duty in England are part of the Asia Cup squad and they are set to reach the UAE on Sunday. The rest of the players left for the Asia Cup host country on Thursday.

India will open their campaign in the tournament against Hong Kong on Tuesday and the very next day, they will take on arch-rivals Pakistan. India are six-time champions in Asia Cup and are the defenders of the title in this edition. Two-time champions Pakistan have the UAE as their home ground since international cricket has stopped on their own soil.

“I am very happy to be back here. I didn’t actually realise that we haven’t played here for the past 12 years,” Rohit Sharma was quoted by reports as saying. “It’s not pleasant for sure. For the guys who were in England, it was a hectic tour and it is only fair that they go home and spend some time with their families and then come here. It is not easy but then weather is going to be same for all the teams. So we have to just focus on playing good cricket.”