The Indian cricket team started its Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominant win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India bowled out the UAE for a total of just 57 runs in 13.1 overs and then chased the target in a record 4.3 overs, sealing a comprehensive victory. The result was a perfect way for a team that hadn’t played the format in months to get back into the groove.
India's bowling attack, which was a subject of debate before the match, proved its effectiveness by dismantling the UAE lineup. Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube ran havoc, with Kuldeep taking three wickets for 11 runs and Dube claiming three scalps. The spinners, including Varun Chakaravarthy, justified the team's decision to play a spin-heavy attack despite a tinge of green on the pitch. While Jasprit Bumrah showed some signs of rustiness, he still managed to take a wicket and knock the top-scorer's off-stump with a yorker.
The chase was a swift affair, led by a new opening partnership of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. The pair of friends from the U-19 team wasted no time, with Abhishek wiping off 10 runs in the first two balls. The two clattered 48 runs in just 3.4 overs before Abhishek was dismissed. Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav then finished the job in just four more balls, registering India's quickest-ever T20I chase.
A key point of interest in the lineup was the inclusion of Sanju Samson as the wicketkeeper over Jitesh Sharma. Samson received a huge roar from the crowd, reflecting his popularity. His agility was on display, as he was involved in a run-out that saw UAE batter Junaid Siddique stranded outside his crease. However, Suryakumar Yadav showed a moment of sportsmanship by withdrawing the appeal and calling the batter back. Siddique was dismissed two balls later, offering a high catch to the Indian captain.
While the victory was clinical, it was only the first step in the tournament. The UAE's total of 57 was their lowest against India in T20Is, and India's chase was their fastest. This win provides the team with a chance to get used to the conditions and the new combinations. However, sterner challenges await, including the highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday.
