Asia Cup: Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube bowl India to record-breaking win over UAE

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had played down India’s tag as favourites for the Asia Cup 2025 during a press conference in Dubai on Tuesday. Just a day later, India showed precisely why they are regarded as the top dogs, and why Salman’s quip at the captains’ meet was more of a jibe than a fair assessment of the balance of power at this tournament. The defending world champions began their campaign in the eight-team continental event with a thumping nine-wicket win over the UAE in Dubai on 10 September, chasing a 58-run target in just 4.3 overs.

India vs UAE Highlights: Asia Cup | Full scorecard

This was India’s fastest-ever chase in T20 internationals — a new record for the Men in Blue. The previous best came against Australia in Ranchi in 2017, when they overhauled 49 in 5.3 overs in a rain-curtailed match. In a completed fixture, their quickest chase had been 89 against Scotland in 6.3 overs at the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai.

Kuldeep Yadav was the star of the evening. The left-arm wrist-spinner made a strong statement on his return to T20Is, having last featured in the World Cup final the previous year. After warming the bench throughout the five-Test series in England earlier this summer, Kuldeep seized his chance with relish. The UAE batters, struggling to read him, crumbled as he ran through their line-up.

All-rounder Shivam Dube also justified his selection, rewarding his captain’s trust with a three-wicket haul, further underlining India’s depth.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to bowl first paid rich dividends as India’s attack dismantled a UAE side short on both experience and quality. The Indian batters, however, may have been left wishing for a sterner challenge after such a modest target.

Nonetheless, the emphatic victory lifted India to the top of Group A with a significant boost to their Net Run Rate. The former champions now turn their attention to their high-profile clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, 14 September. Pakistan, meanwhile, will open their campaign against Oman on Friday.

More to follow.