India's cricket team faced a challenging start to the new year, marked by significant leadership changes and a disappointing end to the T20 Asia Cup. Following Rohit Sharma's retirement from Tests and subsequent removal as ODI captain, Shubman Gill was appointed to lead the team with an eye on future tournaments. Despite a dominant performance in the Asia Cup, winning all matches, India did not secure the trophy due to a standoff with ACC president Mohsin Naqvi over trophy presentation, stemming from strained India-Pakistan relations.