India launched their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with ruthless efficiency, dismantling the UAE in just 17.4 overs at the Dubai International Stadium. A dominant bowling display, led by Kuldeep Yadav’s magical 4 for 7, and a blistering opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, sealed a nine-wicket win that underlined the gulf between the two sides.
UAE’s Batting Collapse: From Promise to Humiliation
Having shown glimpses of fight in their recent tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan, UAE entered the contest with quiet optimism. Their openers even hinted at resilience, racing to 41 for 2 inside the powerplay with Alishan Sharafu striking crisp boundaries. But once Jasprit Bumrah shattered his stumps with a searing yorker, the innings unraveled spectacularly.
From 41 for 2, UAE lost eight wickets for just 10 runs, crashing to 57 all out—the lowest T20I total against India. Their undoing came largely against spin, as Kuldeep’s artistry left them clueless. The left-arm wrist-spinner dismissed three batters in a single over, including captain Muhammad Waseem lbw and Harshit Kaushik bowled through the gate.
All-rounder Shivam Dube chipped in with 3 for 4, continuing his remarkable bowling resurgence. India used six bowlers on the night, and five found their names in the wickets column—a testament to the depth and versatility of this bowling attack.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Impactful Return
For Kuldeep, this outing was more than just numbers—it was a statement. After spending India’s long tour of England warming the bench, the spinner responded with venom, making the ball talk under lights. His mix of wrong’uns and stump-to-stump accuracy left UAE in disarray, reminding selectors why his presence remains indispensable in India’s T20 plans.
“Kuldeep makes the wait worthwhile” read one headline, and it couldn’t have been truer. His return brings India not just wickets but the invaluable X-factor wrist-spin provides in the middle overs.
Bumrah’s Rare Powerplay Workload
Interestingly, skipper Suryakumar Yadav handed Bumrah three overs inside the powerplay—a rare move in T20Is. The ace pacer struck early with his trademark yorker but also conceded four boundaries, three of them to Waseem. Even so, the psychological damage of his dismissal of Sharafu was evident. Once Bumrah loosened the grip, the spinners tightened it completely.
Gill and Abhishek: Old Friends, New Opening Pair
If India’s bowling was clinical, the chase was pure entertainment. Set just 58 for victory, Gill and Abhishek Sharma—friends since their Under-14 days—came out swinging. They smashed 48 runs in 3.4 overs, turning the target into target practice.
Abhishek’s fearless sixes and Gill’s elegant wristy flicks had the crowd roaring. Gill’s strike rate-heavy 20* off nine balls suggested that his transition into an aggressive T20 opener is no longer a work in progress but a reality. Abhishek’s 30 off 15 balls reinforced his devil-may-care approach, a style India may rely on in bigger clashes.
When Abhishek fell with 10 runs needed, captain Suryakumar Yadav strode out and promptly launched his first ball over the ropes. India wrapped up the chase in 4.3 overs, the fastest T20I chase in their history.
Selection Calls and Tactical Flexibility
India’s XI raised eyebrows before the toss. Sanju Samson kept wickets ahead of Jitesh Sharma, while Gill replaced Samson as opener. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy were fielded, reflecting India’s growing trust in spin-heavy combinations. With Shivam Dube at No. 8, the batting ran deep, but it meant only one frontline quick in Bumrah.
The toss win itself was a minor story—India broke a streak of 15 consecutive toss losses across formats. But more significantly, their selections displayed a fearless tactical fluidity, showcasing a squad that can adapt to conditions and opponents with ease.