Asia Cup 2025: India annihilate UAE in a one-sided contest
Extremely heated conditions in the UAE forced the organizers to push the Asia Cup 2025 fixtures to a later time. Originally scheduled to start at 19:30 IST, the matches were eventually slated to get underway at 20:00. Despite the delay, the Men in Blue ensured that fans at home barely noticed any disruption to their viewing routine. In the India vs UAE clash, the Asia Cup 2025 campaign opener for Group A, the outcome was hardly a surprise. What few could have anticipated, however, was that the chase would be wrapped up within the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill made light work of the UAE attack, racing through the modest target of 58 in just the fifth over in Dubai.
Men in Blue breeze past the lopsided India vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 campaign opener
A day before the start of the Asia Cup 2025 campaign, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav downplayed the notion of India being the favorites in the UAE. The truth, however, is that the ACC tournament has pitted the No.1 ranked T20I side against teams still finding their footing. After a streak of 15 disappointments across formats, the coin finally flipped in India’s favor. SKY opted to bowl first in the smoldering conditions against UAE.
India introduced a spin-heavy attack at the Dubai International Stadium, with the Playing XI featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy together in the combination. Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the sole specialist pacer in the lineup, while Arshdeep Singh sat out of the campaign opener. Initially, UAE actually looked capable of putting up a fight against the flashy opponents. However, a delivery from Bumrah, with a trademark yorker, saw it all come tumbling down.
While Bumrah started the show, Kuldeep Yadav ensured he starred in it. The spinner gave away just 7 runs, picking up 4 wickets in 2.1 overs. Shivam Dube, who usually plays as a specialist batter in the IPL and has largely been kept out of the bowling department until now, took the ball in hand. The pacer scalped three wickets in two overs as UAE were bundled out for 57 runs in the 14th over of the first innings.
With Abhishek Sharma in charge, it was always going to be a matter of 'how soon'. The opener walked out with Shubman Gill as his partner at the top. Abhishek started with a six and a four, setting the tone for a breezy and swift chase. Gill, meanwhile, matched the tempo, treating viewers to a beautiful flick. In a match as lopsided as the India vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 opener, the shots by the Indian opening duo were among the few genuinely exciting moments for the audience.
Scoring 30 off 16, Abhishek fell to Junaid Siddiqui while attempting another of his ambitious shots. However, the matter was already settled by then. Suryakumar Yadav walked in next, showcasing one of his eye-pleasing shots, before Shubman Gill closed out the chase with a four in the fifth over. The result was the anticipated one and came quickly, as the focus now shifts to the India vs Pakistan match, with fans looking forward to a real contest in the Asian derby.
