The defending champions India began their 2025 Asia Cup campaign with an emphatic statement, demolishing UAE by nine wickets in what can only be described as a masterclass in T20 cricket. The comprehensive victory, completed in just 106 balls, showcased India’s relentless quality across all departments as they bowled UAE out for a paltry 57 before chasing down the target in a record-breaking 4.3 overs.
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Kuldeep Yadav’s Triumphant Return
The star of India’s bowling attack was undoubtedly Kuldeep Yadav, whose return to international cricket after being benched throughout England’s tour couldn’t have been more spectacular.
The left-arm wristspinner claimed figures of 4-7, dismantling UAE’s middle order with a devastating ninth over that effectively sealed the match.
Match Summary Table
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 57 all out | 13.1 | 10 | Lost by 9 wickets |
| India | 60/1 | 4.3 | 1 | Won in record time |
Brief Scores:
United Arab Emirates 57 in 13.1 overs (Alishan Sharafu 22; Kuldeep Yadav 4/7, Shivam Dube 3/4) lost to India 60/1 in 4.3 overs (Abhishek Sharma 30, Shubman Gill 20*) by 9 wickets.
Key Performers:
- Best Bowling: Kuldeep Yadav 4-7, Shivam Dube 3-4
- Top Scorers: Alishan Sharafu 22 (UAE), Abhishek Sharma 30* (India)
Historic Low for UAE vs India
UAE’s total of 57 represents the lowest score ever recorded against India in T20 internationals, while India’s lightning-quick chase of 4.3 overs set a new record for their fastest T20I victory. This statistical dominance underscores the gulf in class between the two sides on this particular evening at Dubai International Stadium.
The match began promisingly for UAE, with captain Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu combining for 41 runs in the powerplay. However, their innings collapsed spectacularly after the sixth over, losing eight wickets for just 16 runs as India’s bowling attack proved too potent to handle.
India’s Bowling Masterclass
Jasprit Bumrah set the tone early, bowling an uncharacteristic three overs in the powerplay for the first time since 2019. His searing yorker that crashed through Sharafu’s defenses demonstrated why he remains one of the world’s premier T20 bowlers, despite conceding four boundaries to Waseem.
Bowling Analysis
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | 2.0 | 7 | 4 | 3.50 |
| Shivam Dube | 2.0 | 4 | 3 | 2.00 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 3.0 | 23 | 1 | 7.67 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | 3.0 | 12 | 1 | 4.00 |
| Axar Patel | 3.0 | 11 | 1 | 3.67 |
The turning point came in Kuldeep’s devastating ninth over, where he claimed three wickets in quick succession. Rahul Chopra fell attempting a big shot to long-on, Waseem was trapped lbw by a classic arm ball, and Harshit Kaushik was bowled through the gate by a trademark wrong’un that spun viciously.
Shivam Dube’s medium-pace proved equally effective, claiming three wickets with his consistent line and length. His inclusion ahead of a second specialist fast bowler provided India with batting depth while proving surprisingly effective with the ball, extending his recent T20I bowling success.
Lightning-Fast Chase Led by Opening Duo
The UAE vs India encounter’s second innings was over almost before it began. The new opening partnership of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill – childhood friends who’ve progressed through age-group cricket together – wasted no time in dismantling UAE’s bowling attack.
Their aggressive approach yielded 48 runs in just 3.4 overs before Abhishek fell for a well-made 30. The highlight shots included Gill’s dancing flick for six off Mohammad Rohid and Abhishek’s audacious falling-away slap over long-off that showcased their intent from the outset.
India’s Chase Breakdown
| Batsman | Score | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | 30 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 187.50 |
| Shubman Gill | 20* | 8 | 2 | 1 | 250.00 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 6* | 3 | 0 | 1 | 200.00 |
Suryakumar Yadav provided the perfect finishing touch, whipping his first delivery off his hip for six to seal victory with characteristic flair. The captain’s confident stroke-play emphasized India’s depth and quality throughout their batting lineup.
Tactical Decisions Pay Dividends
India’s team selection proved inspired, with several tactical gambles paying immediate dividends. The decision to retain Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper while promoting Gill to open alongside Abhishek created the perfect blend of experience and aggression at the top of the order.
The inclusion of both wristspinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy – provided crucial variety in UAE’s challenging conditions, while Dube’s all-round capabilities justified his selection ahead of a second specialist fast bowler.
Remarkably, this dominant performance came after India won their first toss in 16 attempts across all formats, ending a streak that had become a talking point in recent months.
Perfect Start to Title Defense
This comprehensive victory represents the ideal beginning to India’s Asia Cup title defense, demonstrating their readiness to compete at the highest level. The team’s clinical execution in both bowling and batting departments sends a clear message to other contenders about their championship credentials.
The seamless integration of returning players like Kuldeep Yadav, combined with the emergence of new partnerships like the Abhishek-Gill opening combination, suggests India possess both experience and innovation in equal measure.
As the tournament progresses, this dominant display against UAE will serve as both a confidence booster and a statement of intent. India’s ability to execute their game plan with such ruthless efficiency, while adapting to different match situations, reinforces their status as tournament favorites.
The record-breaking nature of this victory – UAE’s lowest total against India and India’s quickest T20I chase – ensures this match will be remembered as a perfect example of how champions begin their title defenses. With performances like this, India have set themselves up superbly for the challenges ahead in their Asia Cup campaign.
What’s Next for India?
Following this dominant start, India’s next assignment will be their most anticipated fixture of the group stage – the blockbuster clash against Pakistan scheduled for September 14, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match is set to begin at 2:30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST), and represents the first of potentially three encounters between these arch-rivals if both teams progress through the tournament stages. This high-voltage contest will test India’s championship credentials against their traditional rivals in what promises to be a significantly more challenging affair than their comfortable victory over UAE.
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FAQs
What was UAE’s lowest score against India before this match?
Prior to this Asia Cup encounter, UAE had never recorded such a low total against India in T20Is. The 57 all out represents their lowest score in this format against the defending champions.
How quickly did India complete their chase in the UAE vs India match?
India chased down the 58-run target in just 4.3 overs, setting a new record for their fastest T20I victory. This surpassed their previous quickest chase in the format.
What made Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling performance so special?
Kuldeep claimed 4 wickets for just 7 runs, including three wickets in one over. This marked his return to international cricket after being benched throughout England’s tour, making it even more significant.
Who were India’s opening batsmen in this match?
India opened with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, a new combination featuring two players who have been friends since Under-14 cricket. Their partnership yielded 48 runs in 3.4 overs.
How many bowlers did India use, and how many took wickets?
India used six different bowlers in their attack, with five of them managing to take at least one wicket. Only one bowler failed to get on the scoresheet in this comprehensive bowling display.
