Team India have already qualified for the Super Four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup.
In the aftermath of the handshake controversy at the Asia Cup 2025, Indian players have received a strict order not to interact with Pakistani net bowlers at the ICC Academy in Dubai during their training for the last Group A game.
The Men in Blue have already qualified for the Super Four stage, and will lock horns with Oman on Friday (September 18) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
According to Geo News, the team management gave the Suryakumar Yadav-led side a 'directive' to "maintain distance from Pakistani net bowlers."
Notably, net bowlers of all origins are present at the ICC Academy to help each of the participating teams during their practice. In the previous editions of the Asia Cup, ICC events or even bilateral tours, Indian players had been seen interacting with net bowlers, regardless of their nationality.
In fact, Haris Rauf was a net bowler for the Indian team during their 2018/19 tour to Australia, where he famously interacted with Virat Kohli and other star batters.
However, team management has decided against such interactions this time, especially after what happened over the last few days, including the handshake gate during the India versus Pakistan clash in Dubai on September 14.
"Indian players have been specifically told not to engage in casual conversations or pose for pictures with Pakistani net bowlers," sources told the Pakistani media outlet.
The report added: "To ensure compliance, the net bowlers are required to hand over their mobile phones before training sessions, which are only returned once practice concludes."
Meanwhile, Team India also called off their practice session and pre-match presser scheduled on Wednesday.
“Please note there will be no media and practice session tomorrow. It is a rest day. Will convey practice and PC time for pre-match PC for Thursday later,” BCCI said in the official WhatsApp group.