Highlights:
- India dismissed UAE for 57, the lowest total ever against them in T20Is
- Kuldeep Yadav took 4 wickets, while Shivam Dube claimed 3
- India chased the target in just 4.3 overs, their quickest T20I run chase
- Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill opened with a rapid 48-run stand
- India’s Asia Cup defense begins with a dominant nine-wicket win
India dominate with ball and bat
India began their Asia Cup title defense with a nine-wicket thrashing of the UAE, sealing victory in just 17.4 overs of play. After rolling the UAE out for 57 in 13.1 overs, India needed only 27 balls to chase down the target.
The win was marked by two milestones: UAE’s 57 was the lowest total ever recorded against India in T20Is, while India’s chase in 4.3 overs was their fastest in the format.
Selection calls pay off
India’s lineup featured a few surprises. Shubman Gill opened ahead of Sanju Samson, though Samson retained the wicketkeeping gloves. The side also fielded both wristspinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, with Shivam Dube preferred as an allrounder to strengthen batting depth at No. 8. That choice meant Jasprit Bumrah was the only specialist fast bowler.
For the first time since 2019, Bumrah bowled three overs inside the powerplay, claiming one wicket but conceding four boundaries. UAE reached 41 for 2 in the powerplay before collapsing for just 57.
Kuldeep sparks UAE collapse
Kuldeep Yadav, returning to the side after a bench-heavy tour of England, tore through the UAE middle order. He struck three times in the ninth over alone, removing Rahul Chopra, Muhammad Waseem and Harshit Kaushik. He finished with 4 for 7, while Dube backed him up with 3 for 4.
In all, five Indian bowlers took wickets as UAE lost their last eight batsmen for 10 runs.
Dube continues bowling revival
Dube’s spell underlined his growing confidence as a bowling option. After his economy had been questioned earlier in his career, he now has 5 for 15 across his last two T20Is. His medium pace proved too much for the UAE lower order, with one dismissal coming immediately after a withdrawn stumping appeal.
Abhishek and Gill power rapid chase
Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav of India leaves the field after victory in the Asia Cup match Getty Images
Old friends Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill opened together for the first time in international cricket and made light work of the chase. They blasted 48 in just 22 balls, with Gill striking a six off Mohammad Rohid and Abhishek playing a lofted slap over long-off against Kaushik.
Abhishek fell for 30, but by then India were just 10 runs away. Captain Suryakumar Yadav joined Gill to finish the match in the fourth over, sealing a resounding start to India’s campaign.
