Rohit Sharma on Monday said that he is excited to captain India, as the team continued its preparations ahead of back-to-back matches against Hong Kong and arch rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup.

India are set to face Hong Kong in their opening Asia Cup match on Tuesday (18th September), before facing huge cricket rivals Pakistan on Wednesday (19th September). Both matches will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in a city where temperatures can rise to 43 degrees Celsius.

India will be without regular captain and talisman Virat Kholi in this One-Day International event after selectors decided to give him a break, leaving Rohit Sharma to skipper the side. Twenty-year-old Khaleel Ahmed will be making his debut for India. The left-arm pace bowler has played his domestic cricket for Rajasthan since 2016.