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Abhishek Sharma left his mark in a small chase of 58 as India brushed aside UAE by 9 wickets in Dubai.
Abhishek Sharma scored 30 off 16. (AP Photo)
India’s opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 turned out to be a short affair, lasting just 106 deliveries. Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube were lethal with the ball as the duo shared seven wickets between to bundle out UAE for a record 57 in 13.1 overs. India then started their chase in a blazing fashion and completed the chase in mere 4.3 overs for a big 9-wicket at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
It was Abhishek Sharma who set the tone by starting India’s chase by hitting the very first ball for a six – a lofted hit over long-off. He struck two more sixes besides two fours in an entertaining 16-ball 30.
Abhishek thus became the fourth Indian in history to hit the first ball of a T20I innings for a six after Rohit Sharma (vs England in Ahmedabad 2021), Yashasvi Jaiswal (vs Zimbabwe in Harare 2024) and Sanju Samson (vs England in Mumbai 2025).
While his countryman did so in the first innings of the match, the 25-year-old Abhishek is the first Indian to do so in a chase.
The left-handed batter, who made his T20I debut in July 2024, also holds the record for the highest ever individual score by an Indian in the format. He scored 135 against England at the Wankhede Stadium earlier this year to break the earlier record of his teammate Shubman Gill (126*).
India’s Statement Performance
Overall, it was a dominant show from Suryakumar Yadav-led India in Dubai. The world champions won the toss and opted to bowl first. UAE though made a promising start with their openers adding 26 runs before a pinpoint yorker from Jasprit Bumrah triggered a massive collapse. UAE lost their next nine wickets for the addition of 31 runs.
Kuldeep Yadav (4/7), playing in his first T20I since June 29, 2024, joined forces with allrounder Shivam Dube (3/4) to leave UAE in tatters.
India next face Pakistan on Sunday.
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, 22:57 IST
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