Kuldeep, Dube Star as India Demolishes UAE in Record-Breaking Asia Cup Victory

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.

The match lasted only 17.4 overs, prompting captain Suryakumar Yadav to joke about whether he would still receive his full match fee for the Group A contest.

"That we will talk about later," Suryakumar said with a smile when asked if he would be paid in full.

"Clinical performance from the boys. We wanted good energy and the right attitude in the field, and that carried over into the batting," he added, reflecting on the emphatic display.

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.

GONE IN 13.1 + 4.3 overs

India were on the money from the word go. Suryakumar won the toss and opted to field, hoping to give his bowlers the first advantage on a pitch that had grass covering and bare patches.

Hardik Pandya was given the responsibility of bowling the first over after India went in with only specialist fast bowler -- Jasprit Bumrah. The all-rounder conceded 10 runs and looked a little rusty with his bowling.

UAE got off to a decent start with Alishan Sharafu and captain Muhammad Waseem attacking Hardik and Jasprit Bumrah.

Jasprit Bumrah made the first breakthrough by sending back Muhammad Zohaib for 2 in his opening over. Captain Muhammad Waseem, however, kept the scoreboard ticking, striking three boundaries off Bumrah in his third over of the powerplay as the UAE reached 41 for 2 in the first six overs.

The hosts looked to be building a platform for a competitive total when they reached 47 for 2 after eight overs.

UAE LOSE 8 WICKETS FOR 10 RUNS

However, the innings unravelled spectacularly when Kuldeep Yadav, bowling in T20 internationals for the first time since the World Cup last year, ripped through the UAE line-up with three wickets in his second over.

Kuldeep, who had spent the entire England tour in June-August on the bench, looked hungrier than ever as he tore into the middle order. He claimed the prized wicket of Waseem, as well as Rahul Chopra and Harshit Kaushik, the latter undone by a superb googly that left him bamboozled.

The UAE collapsed, losing their last eight wickets for just 10 runs. Shivam Dube joined the party with three wickets of his own. Backed strongly by bowling coach Morne Morkel in the build-up to the Asia Cup, the Chennai Super Kings all-rounder repaid the management's faith with a disciplined spell. While his wickets came from the lower middle-order and tail, his accuracy in line and length, along with his pace, stood out.

SPIRIT OF THE GAME

One of the biggest talking points of the innings was Suryakumar Yadav's sporting spirit. The India captain withdrew an appeal against Junaid Siddique after the batter was stumped by Sanju Samson in the 13th over. Siddique had been distracted by a towel falling from Dube's waist during his run-up and was gesturing to the umpire when he inadvertently strayed out of his crease. Suryakumar's decision to give him another chance earned widespread praise.

India's chase was over in a flash. Shubman Gill, opening the innings, struck 20 off nine balls, while his partner Abhishek Sharma showcased his big-hitting prowess with 30 off just 16. Gill, who will be under the scanner after having replaced Samson, looked comfortable in the middle and impressed with his flick shot that sailed for six.

Suryakumar himself finished the job with a six in his brief cameo as India wrapped up the chase in only 27 deliveries, laying down an early marker in the tournament.