Kuldeep Yadav returned to the T20I setup in style, showing no signs of rust as he dismantled a hapless UAE batting order, helping India bowl out the hosts for just 57 in 13.1 overs in their Asia Cup opener on Wednesday (September 10). Later on, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma picked up the bits and pieces in their chase of 58 runs finishing the contest inside...
Coming back to the first innings, the left-arm wrist-spinner, who had endured a frustrating stint on the sidelines during India’s recent tour of England, proved far too skillful for the UAE batters to handle. He finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 7 in 2.1 overs, striking at regular intervals to ensure there was no recovery.
The damage began with Jasprit Bumrah (1/19 in 3 overs), who delivered a searing yorker to dismiss UAE opener Alishan Sharafu. Until then, the right-hander had fought bravely, smashing three boundaries and a six in his 22 off 17 balls, but Bumrah’s pinpoint strike at the base of his stumps triggered a collapse from which the hosts never recovered from.
From that point, wickets fell in a heap. The UAE line-up was clearly unsettled against India’s spin trio of Kuldeep, Varun Chakravarthy (1/4 in 2 overs), and Axar Patel (1/13 in 3 overs).
To add to their woes, Shivam Dube produced his career-best figures of 3/4 in 2 overs, cleaning up the lower order with ease and underlining his growing value as a bowling option ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The dismissals highlighted the gulf in class. Rahul Chopra attempted to counter-attack Kuldeep but was caught at long-on, while left-hander Harshit Kaushik had no answer to a googly that jagged back sharply. Skipper Muhammad Waseem (19 off 22) also struggled for rhythm and eventually perished when he misread the bounce on a sweep shot against Kuldeep.
In total, India’s bowlers sent down just 81 deliveries (13.1 overs plus two wides), of which 52 were dot balls, illustrating the complete stranglehold they maintained.
Credit also went to the tactical clarity shown by coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, whose plans were executed to perfection. With the Dubai pitch offering generous assistance to spinners, India’s spin unit looks poised to trouble stronger opponents as the tournament progresses.
During India's chase of a mere target, the UAE bowlers simply had no answer to the exploits from Gill and Sharma. Junaid Siddique did get trap Abhishek Sharma in the fourth over but it did not slow down India at all. Captain Surykumar Yadav came in at number 3 and smashed a six off his first ball.
Winning with most balls to spare by a Full member team
101 Eng vs Oman North Sound 2024
93 Ind vs UAE Dubai 2025
90 SL vs Net Chattogram 2014
90 Zim vs Mozambique Nairobi 2024
Previous most by India: 81 balls vs Scotland in Dubai, 2021
Abhishek made 30 off 16 balls while his opening partner Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav remained not out on 20 and 7 respectively as India reached 60 for 1 in 4.3 overs in a completely lopsided match.
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