India registered a commanding nine-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their Asia Cup 2025 opener on Thursday, September 10, at the Dubai
International Cricket Stadium. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that worked perfectly for his side.
Although UAE showed glimpses of promise in the opening overs, Jasprit Bumrah’s breakthrough shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour. Alishan Sharafu top-scored with 22 runs, but the rest of the batting line-up faltered against a relentless Indian bowling attack.
Kuldeep Yadav was the star of the show, producing a sensational spell that included three wickets in a single over. He went on to finish with four wickets, while all-rounder Shivam Dube chipped in with three crucial strikes as the UAE folded for a modest 57 runs.
Chasing the target, India got off to an explosive start as Abhishek Sharma opened with a six and continued to attack the bowlers. He raced to 30 off just 16 deliveries before falling to Junaid Siddique. From there, Shubman Gill (20* off 14) and captain Suryakumar (7* off 3) calmly finished the chase in just 4.3 overs, sealing the win with 60/1 on the board.
Key moments from IND vs UAE, Match 2 of Asia Cup 2025
1. Kuldeep's three strikes in an over
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav proved to be the game-changer against UAE, producing a sensational spell in the middle overs. The left-arm wrist-spinner picked up three wickets in the ninth over and eventually finished with remarkable figures of 4 for 7 in just 2.1 overs.
2. Dube's middle-over madness
Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube also shone in the match against UAE, making a strong impact with the ball. The medium-pacer picked up three wickets in just two overs, conceding only four runs. His scalps included Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, and Junaid Siddique.
3. Abhishek's fiery start in the chase
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma showcased his brilliance with the bat, taking on the UAE bowlers from the very first delivery. He smashed a six off his first ball and went on to score a quickfire 30 off just 16 deliveries, studded with two fours and three sixes.
