India commenced their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in spectacular fashion, securing a dominant nine-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The match, a Group A encounter, showcased India's prowess in both bowling and batting, leaving little room for the hosts to compete.
The Indian bowlers set the tone early, dismantling the UAE batting lineup and restricting them to a meager 57 runs in just 13.1 overs. This performance marked the lowest score against India in T20Is, surpassing New Zealand's previous unwanted record of 66 in 2023. Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the star performer, claiming four wickets for a mere seven runs in his spell. His masterful spin bowling proved too difficult for the UAE batsmen to handle. Shivam Dube provided valuable support, picking up three wickets while conceding only four runs. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy also contributed with a wicket each, further stifling the hosts' batting efforts.
The UAE's batting innings never gained momentum, with only Alishan Sharafu providing some resistance with 22 runs. However, the rest of the batting order crumbled under the pressure exerted by the Indian bowlers. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and the UAE struggled to form meaningful partnerships.
Chasing a paltry target of 58, India's batsmen made quick work of the chase, reaching the target in just 4.3 overs. Abhishek Sharma set the tone with an explosive start, smashing 30 runs off just 16 balls, including two fours and three sixes. Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 20 off 9 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed a quickfire 7 off 2 balls to seal the victory.
The match highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides, with India demonstrating their dominance in all aspects of the game. The victory serves as a statement of intent for India as they embark on their Asia Cup 2025 campaign.
India's upcoming matches in the Asia Cup 2025 include a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 14 and a match against Oman on September 19. With a strong start to the tournament, India will be aiming to maintain their momentum and secure their ninth Asia Cup title.
The victory against UAE was comprehensive, with the bowlers setting up the win and the batsmen finishing the job emphatically. Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance. India's net run rate soared to 10 as a result of the dominant victory. This resounding win not only gives India a strong start in the Asia Cup but also sends a warning signal to their competitors.
