Image: India record an easy nine-wicket win against UAE / © ESPNcricinfo
Getting a win in the first match of the Asia Cup is always a big deal, and India kicked things off with a dominant performance against the United Arab Emirates on September 10, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The UAE innings was a struggle from start to finish, as they managed only 57 runs in 13.1 overs, collapsing under the pressure of India’s relentless bowling attack.
The UAE openers, Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem, walked out with hopes of setting a solid foundation. Sharafu started brightly, showing some fight with 22 runs off 17 balls. He struck at 129.41, finding the boundary three times and clearing it once for a six. His aggressive approach was clear when he took on Axar Patel, smashing a six to signal UAE’s intent. But Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead, cut his innings short in the fourth over, bowling him with a sharp delivery. Bumrah bowled 3 overs, giving away 19 runs for that one wicket, keeping things tight with an economy of 6.33 and delivering 12 dot balls to stifle the scoring.
After Sharafu’s exit at 26 for 1, Muhammad Zohaib joined Waseem. Zohaib didn’t last long, scratching around for 2 runs off 5 balls before Varun Chakravarthy got him caught by Kuldeep Yadav in the fifth over. Chakravarthy was miserly, bowling 2 overs for just 4 runs at an economy of 2.00, proving tough to get away. UAE were 29 for 2, and the early momentum was slipping. Rahul Chopra, the wicketkeeper, came in at number four but struggled to 3 runs off 7 balls. Kuldeep Yadav, who turned the game on its head, had him caught by Shubman Gill in the ninth over, leaving UAE wobbling at 47 for 3.
Waseem, the captain, tried to hold things together, scoring 19 off 22 balls with three fours at a strike rate of 86.36. He played cautiously but couldn’t convert his start, falling lbw to Kuldeep in the same ninth over. Kuldeep was the wrecker-in-chief, finishing with 4 wickets for 7 runs in 2.1 overs, bowling at an economy of 3.23. His left-arm wrist-spin bamboozled UAE, and he sent Harshit Kaushik packing for 2 off 2 balls in the same over, bowled cleanly to make it 50 for 5. Kaushik’s brief cameo showed promise but ended too soon.
Asif Khan, at number five, couldn’t provide resistance either, managing 2 off 7 balls before Shivam Dube got him caught by Sanju Samson in the 11th over, pushing the score to 51 for 6. Dube was outstanding, picking up 3 wickets for 4 runs in 2 overs at an economy of 2.00, using his medium pace cleverly. Dhruv Parashar, who came in next, tried to dig in but scored just 1 off 7 balls, falling lbw to Dube in the 13th over at 54 for 8. Simranjeet Singh’s 1 off 5 balls ended with an lbw to Axar Patel in the 12th over at 52 for 7. Patel bowled 3 overs for 13 runs, maintaining pressure with an economy of 4.33 and a wicket.
Haider Ali managed 1 off 2 balls before Kuldeep struck again, getting him caught by Samson in the 14th over, or rather, the 13.1 over, as UAE’s innings folded there at 57 all out. Junaid Siddique didn’t trouble the scorers, out for a duck off 3 balls, caught by Suryakumar Yadav off Dube at 55 for 9. Muhammad Rohid was left not out on 2 off 2 balls, but it was too little, too late. UAE’s extras were just 2 wides, showing India’s bowlers gave little away. Kuldeep’s spell was the highlight as his 7 dot balls and four wickets broke UAE’s back.
Dube’s three scalps, Chakravarthy’s tight bowling, and Bumrah’s early breakthrough ensured UAE never got going. Hardik Pandya bowled a solitary over for 10 runs without a wicket but added variety. The fall of wickets tells the story of the collapse: from 47 for 2, UAE lost their last 8 wickets for just 10 runs. Only Sharafu and Waseem reached double figures, and poor shot choices combined with India’s spin-heavy attack exposed UAE’s frailties. The innings lasted just 79 balls, one of the quickest T20I collapses, highlighting the gulf in class.
Chasing a modest 58 runs, India’s batting was a masterclass in aggression and efficiency, wrapping up the chase in just 4.3 overs to win by 9 wickets with 93 balls to spare. The Indian openers, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, set the tone, and Suryakumar Yadav applied the finishing touches. Let’s walk through how India made light work of UAE’s bowling. Abhishek Sharma came out swinging, scoring 30 runs off 16 balls at a blistering strike rate of 187.50.
He smashed two fours and three sixes, showing no mercy to UAE’s bowlers. Against Haider Ali’s first over, which went for 10 runs, Sharma set the pace with a six. Muhammad Rohid’s solitary over was expensive, leaking 15 runs as Sharma cracked a four and another six. Dhruv Parashar, bowling the third over, was taken for 13 runs, with Sharma lofting a six to keep the scoreboard racing. His aggressive intent ensured India were always ahead of the asking rate, which was barely a challenge.
Shubman Gill, at the other end, was equally destructive, finishing unbeaten on 20 off 9 balls with a strike rate of 222.22. He hit two fours and one six, matching Sharma’s aggression. Gill’s highlight was a lofted four off Simranjeet Singh in the final over, showing his class and composure. The opening pair put on 48 runs in 3.5 overs, setting the stage for an early finish. Sharma’s innings ended when Junaid Siddique, UAE’s only successful bowler, had him caught by Haider Ali for 30. Siddique bowled 1 over for 16 runs, claiming the solitary wicket at an economy of 16.00, but it was a minor blip in India’s dominance.
Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, walked in at 48 for 1 and wasted no time, scoring 7 not out off just 2 balls at a strike rate of 350.00. His six off Simranjeet Singh in the 0.3 overs bowled sealed the chase with ease. Singh’s brief spell went for 6 runs at an economy of 12.00, but it was too late for UAE to mount any comeback. The rest of India’s batting lineup didn’t even need to bat, underlining the depth in India’s squad. UAE’s bowlers had no answer to India’s onslaught.
Haider Ali’s 1 over cost 10 runs, Rohid’s 1 over went for 15, and Parashar’s 1 over leaked 13. Siddique’s wicket came at a high cost, and Singh couldn’t complete his over as India finished the job early. The extras were minimal, with 3 wides, but UAE’s bowling lacked discipline, conceding 4 fours and 5 sixes in just 27 balls. India’s run rate of 13.33 reflected their aggressive approach, reaching 50 runs in 3.6 overs.
The powerplay, mandatory for the first 6 overs, saw India score 60 for 1 in just 4.3 overs, rendering the remaining overs unnecessary. Sharma’s three sixes and Gill’s quick scoring ensured the chase was never in doubt. Suryakumar’s cameo was the icing on the cake, showing why India’s batting is feared in.
Making up the TCNI Magic Moment of the Game, Kuldeep Yadav delivered a stellar performance, claiming a sensational 4-wicket haul that dismantled the United Arab Emirates batting lineup. In a mere 2.1 overs, Kuldeep conceded just 7 runs, finishing with an impressive economy rate of 3.23. His spell was pivotal in restricting UAE to a paltry 57 runs in 13.1 overs, with a run rate of 4.32. Kuldeep’s wickets included key dismissals of Muhammad Waseem (19), Rahul Chopra (3), Harshit Kaushik (2), and Haider Ali (1), effectively triggering a collapse.
UAE’s innings began shakily, losing Alishan Sharafu (22) early, followed by a rapid fall of wickets, with Kuldeep striking in quick succession. His disciplined bowling, combined with sharp spin, outfoxed the batters, as he bowled 7 dot balls and allowed no boundaries or sixes. Supported by Shivam Dube’s 3 wickets and single wickets from Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep’s heroics ensured a dominant display.
Playing a quick-fire knock, Abhishek Sharma emerged as TCNI’s Hero of the Day with a blazing 30 runs off just 16 balls. The young Indian opener set the tone for the chase, smashing 2 fours and 3 sixes at an explosive strike rate of 187.50. His aggressive batting in the powerplay gave India a flying start, racing to 48 runs before his dismissal in the 3.5th over, caught by Haider Ali off Junaid Siddique.
Despite his brief 18-minute stay at the crease, Abhishek’s fearless approach put the opposition bowlers under pressure, helping India reach 60/1 in 4.3 overs at a run rate of 13.33. His contribution was pivotal in keeping India ahead in the chase of 58 runs from 20 overs. Though he fell short of a bigger score, Abhishek’s dynamic innings showcased his potential as a game-changer. With Shubman Gill (20* off 9) and Suryakumar Yadav (7* off 2) carrying the momentum, Abhishek’s fiery start laid a strong foundation for India’s dominant position in the match.