Dubai, September 10, 2025: India began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominant nine-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to a sensational spell from Kuldeep Yadav and strong all-round support. The left-arm wrist-spinner ran through the hosts’ batting order with a four-wicket haul, as UAE were bundled out for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs. India chased the modest target in just 4.3 overs, with openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill finishing the job with ruthless efficiency.
Kuldeep’s Return in Style
In the build-up to the toss, it appeared India might leave out Kuldeep Yadav for an extra pacer. He was seen bowling at a single stump while pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya marked their run-ups. But Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to field just one specialist pacer (Bumrah) and pack the side with spin proved decisive.
Kuldeep struck in his very second over, and the UAE batting order collapsed rapidly. He dismissed Rahul Chopra, who mistimed a lofted shot to Gill at long-on, before trapping UAE captain Muhammad Waseem leg-before with a quicker delivery. His wrong’un then cleaned up Harshit Kaushik, leaving the hosts reeling. Later, he returned to dismiss Haider Ali, sealing figures of 4 for 12 in 3.1 overs.
“It felt good to contribute again. The length and variation matter most in this format, and I just focused on staying one step ahead of the batters,” Kuldeep said post-match.
Bumrah’s Magic Yorker
The UAE had begun brightly, racing to 25 without loss in three overs, with opener Alishan Sharafu looking confident. He cracked three boundaries and a six, including a stunning inside-out lofted drive over extra cover off Axar Patel.
But Jasprit Bumrah produced a moment of brilliance in the fourth over. After setting Sharafu up with off-cutters, he delivered a pinpoint yorker at searing pace, uprooting the 22-year-old’s stumps. The delivery would have troubled even the most seasoned international batters.
Soon after, Varun Chakaravarthy joined the party, having Muhammad Zohaib caught at backward point. From there, the UAE innings unraveled completely.
Shivam Dube and Axar Join the Act
With the top order gone, Shivam Dube took the opportunity to showcase his bowling improvements. Backed as a seam-bowling allrounder, he bowled with discipline and variations, removing Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, and Junaid Siddique for astonishing figures of 2-0-4-3.
“The captain and coach trusted me to bowl. Morne Morkel has been working with me on using the crease and slower deliveries, and it worked well tonight,” Dube said.
Axar Patel, too, chipped in by trapping Simranjeet Singh leg-before, before Kuldeep fittingly wrapped up the innings.
Chase Wrapped Up in 27 Balls
India’s reply was swift and brutal. Abhishek Sharma smashed 30 off 16 balls, including a towering first-ball six, continuing his aggressive form at the top. Partner Shubman Gill played a supporting role, and fittingly struck the winning runs as India raced to 58 for 1 in just 27 balls.
The only blemish came when Abhishek fell trying to maintain the tempo, but by then India were within touching distance of victory.
Statement Start for India
The thumping win not only gave India a perfect start to their Asia Cup campaign but also highlighted their spin-heavy strategy in subcontinental conditions. With Kuldeep leading the charge, Varun providing support, and Dube adding a surprise three-wicket burst, India’s bowling attack looked versatile and threatening.
The result reaffirmed the gulf in quality between the two sides. For UAE, opener Sharafu’s brief fireworks provided some cheer, but as coach Lalchand Rajput admitted, the team was “overawed” by India’s big names.
“We should have batted out 20 overs. Against world-class wrist spinners, even top players struggle,” Rajput said candidly.
For India, the night in Dubai was all about fresh combinations, bold selections, and clinical execution — a sign that Suryakumar Yadav’s men are ready for tougher battles ahead.
