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In a one-sided affair India crushed UAE by nine wickets to start their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on an emphatic note.
UAE players look dejected after a sorry show against India in Dubai. (AP Photo)
World Champion India produced a clinical show against United Arab Emirates in Dubai to begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in style. In a one-sided contest, India first skittled their opponents for 57 runs before chasing it down in 4.3 overs for a nine-wicket win.
Kuldeep Yadav baffled the inexperienced UAE batters, finishing with a match-winning four-wicket haul. Shivam Dube (3/4), Varun Chakaravarthy (1/4), Axar Patel (1/13), and Jasprit Bumrah (1/19) also performed their roles to perfection.
UAE coach Lalchand Rajput felt that not facing bowling of such quality and being overawed by the big names in Indian team contributed to the sorry show.
“They never play against such bowlers and were overawed by big names,” said Rajput, a former India cricketer and coach, after the defeat.
India opted for a spin-heavy strategy for the opening game, playing only one specialist pacer in Bumrah and leaving out Arshdeep Singh.
“World champions will dominate teams. It was good until the powerplay, but once the spinners started, everything changed. There wasn’t much turn, but even top batters struggle against Kuldeep and Varun,” Rajput said.
“Moreover, if Arshdeep can’t make it to the playing eleven, it speaks volumes about the depth of the (Indian) team,” he added.
UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem said losing wickets in a heap led to their downfall.
“We started well as a batting team, we lose wickets in a cluster which cost us the game. They are a brilliant team and they are bowling very well. They are executing their plans for every batter, that’s why they are the No.1 team,” he said.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav was happy with the performane.
“Wanted to see how the wicket was playing. It was the same in the 2nd innings. Clinical performance from the boys, we wanted good attitude and energy on the field and that’s what we got,” he said.
India next face Pakistan while UAE take in Oman.
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
September 10, 2025, 23:15 IST
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