India Demolishes UAE in Record-Breaking Start to Asia Cup Defence
India began its Asia Cup title defence with a breathtaking display of dominance, crushing the United Arab Emirates by nine wickets in a match that lasted a mere 106 balls. The contest was a complete mismatch, as India’s bowlers, led by a resurgent Kuldeep Yadav, bundled out the UAE for just 57—the lowest-ever T20I total recorded against India. The new opening pair of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma then made a mockery of the target, chasing it down in a record 4.3 overs to seal one of the most comprehensive victories in the tournament's history.
The Great Collapse
After being put in to bat, the UAE showed fleeting signs of promise, navigating the powerplay to a respectable 41 for 2. Jasprit Bumrah, bowling an uncharacteristically long spell with the new ball, managed one breakthrough, but the UAE batters seemed to be holding their own. However, what followed was a catastrophic and rapid collapse, as they lost their final eight wickets for the addition of just ten runs. The chief architect of this destruction was left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was making his return to the side after a long spell on the sidelines. In a single, game-changing over, he ripped through the middle order, taking three wickets with his variations and guile, including a classic wrong'un that bowled Harshit Kaushik through the gate.
Clinical Finish from the Bowlers
While Kuldeep was the star, the entire bowling unit was relentless. All-rounder Shivam Dube, whose inclusion was a key selection talking point, justified his place by chipping in with three wickets, showcasing his value as a sixth bowling option. The UAE batters had no answer to the sustained pressure, succumbing to a combination of high-quality bowling and a series of poor, low-percentage shots that betrayed their inexperience at this level. The innings was a stark illustration of the vast gulf in class between the two sides.
A Blistering Chase
With a paltry target of 58 to win, the only question was how quickly India would finish the job. The answer was delivered with explosive intent by the new opening combination of lifelong friends, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. Showing no interest in a cautious start, the pair unleashed a barrage of spectacular shots from the very first over. They plundered 48 runs in just 3.4 overs, with Gill’s elegant flick for six and Abhishek’s audacious slap over long-off standing out as highlights. Though Abhishek fell just before the finish line, captain Suryakumar Yadav sealed the record-breaking win in style, whipping his first ball for a six. The ruthless efficiency of the chase sent a powerful message to the rest of the competition: the defending champions are in formidable form.
Match Highlights
