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[WATCH] Indian Team Arrives in Colombo for Asia Cup 2023 Opener against Pakistan

image-llxjzkn4Virat Kohli (L) having a conversation with Jasprit Bumrah (R). (X.com)

On August 30, the Indian cricket team landed in Colombo, marking the commencement of their Asia Cup 2023 journey. Their maiden match against arch-rivals Pakistan is slated for September 2 at Kandy's Pallekele International Stadium.

The Men in Blue arrived in the capital city of Colombo around 1:30 PM IST. A video of the players boarding the team bus has been circulating widely on social media. In the video, glimpses of skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya can be seen. Kohli and Pandya exchanged a brief chat inside the bus.

Watch: Indian players boarding the bus

The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023 is set to commence with a clash between the Pakistan and Nepal teams at Multan Cricket Stadium on August 30.

Team India will head to Kandy to gear up for their tournament opener against Pakistan. While India is preparing for their first match of the 2023 Asia Cup against their arch-rivals, Pakistan will come into this contest after facing Nepal in their initial game. In Asia Cup head-to-head encounters, India holds a 9-6 lead over Pakistan.

KL Rahul, who has been sidelined due to injury concerns, will miss two games of the Asia Cup 2023, including the high-intensity clash against Pakistan. In his absence, Ishan Kishan will take up wicket-keeping duties for the Men in Blue.

Scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17, the Asia Cup 2023 will feature India in Group A, alongside Pakistan and Nepal. Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. 

The Super Four stage matches are set to begin on September 6 with a clash between the A1 and B2 sides from their respective groups in Lahore. The remainder of the matches will be hosted in Colombo, Sri Lanka.