Kuldeep’s Spin Masterclass as India Crush UAE in Asia Cup

Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliance with the ball became the keyword of India’s emphatic start to the T20 Asia Cup 2025. The left-arm spinner delivered a stunning spell of 4 for 7 as India outclassed hosts United Arab Emirates by nine wickets in their opening match in Dubai. His dominance, backed by sharp pace bowling and aggressive batting, ensured the defending champions made a statement at the start of the tournament.

India Choose to Field First

Winning the toss proved crucial for captain Suryakumar Yadav. India elected to field first under lights at the Dubai International Stadium. The decision immediately paid off as the bowlers exploited the pitch’s bounce and grip.

Jasprit Bumrah gave India an early breakthrough when he dismissed UAE opener Alishan Sharafu, who had looked dangerous with 22 off 17 balls. The wicket broke UAE’s momentum and set the stage for the spinners to take charge.

Kuldeep’s Decisive Spell

The match turned dramatically in Kuldeep Yadav’s second over. With his precise left-arm wrist spin, he ripped through UAE’s batting. He dismissed skipper Muhammad Waseem along with two more batsmen in the same over. Those three strikes shattered the hosts’ hopes of building a steady innings.

Kuldeep completed his spell with remarkable figures of 4 for 7 in just 2.1 overs. His control and variation left the UAE batsmen struggling for answers. Combined with Shivam Dube’s disciplined medium pace, which fetched him three wickets, India dismantled the opposition for only 57 runs in 13.1 overs.

Read: Asia Cup 2025 Squads Unveiled Ahead of UAE Showdown

UAE’s Struggle with the Bat

Apart from Sharafu and Waseem, who managed 22 and 19 respectively, no UAE batsman could cross double figures. The middle order crumbled under pressure, and the lower order collapsed without resistance.

Haider Ali and Harshit Kaushik tried to hold the innings together but fell cheaply to India’s relentless bowling attack. The lack of partnerships and failure to rotate strike highlighted the gulf in quality between the two sides.

India’s Swift Chase

In reply, India wasted no time. Abhishek Sharma opened aggressively, striking boundaries at will. He smashed left-arm spinner Haider Ali for a six and a four in the same over, then added two more sixes to his tally. His quick-fire 30 off 16 balls ensured India raced towards the small target.

Although Sharma was caught off Junaid Siddique, his cameo removed any doubts about the result. Vice-captain Shubman Gill anchored the chase with an unbeaten 20, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav added seven not out. Gill sealed victory in just 4.3 overs with a boundary, showcasing India’s dominance.

Momentum with the Champions

The emphatic win reaffirmed India’s status as tournament favorites. The reigning T20 World Cup champions displayed their depth in both bowling and batting. By finishing the game within five overs, India sent a strong warning to rivals, especially ahead of their high-voltage clash against Pakistan on September 14.

Past Success and Tournament Context

India entered the Asia Cup as defending champions. They had won the 2023 edition, played in the 50-over format, after beating Sri Lanka in Colombo. Transitioning to T20 cricket, the team continued its winning habit with clinical efficiency.

The Asia Cup 2025 is being jointly hosted by the United Arab Emirates. It serves as preparation for the T20 World Cup next year in India and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan had already started the competition with a 94-run win against Hong Kong, thanks to Azmatullah Omarzai’s rapid 20-ball fifty.

Teams on Display

The playing XIs reflected a balance of youth and experience. India’s squad included: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah.

The UAE fielded: Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem (captain), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Parashar, Harshit Kaushik, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique, and Simranjeet Singh.

Trophy Ceremony and Tournament Build-Up

Before the first ball was bowled, the Asia Cup trophy was unveiled at a special ceremony attended by team captains. Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi presided over the event, adding glamour to the competition’s opening.

The tournament’s schedule promises thrilling contests, with Pakistan vs India marked as the most anticipated match. Crowds across the region are expected to follow closely as the Asia Cup unfolds, offering a preview of potential World Cup battles.

A Commanding Start

India’s nine-wicket victory over UAE was not just a win; it was a message. The bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav, crushed the opposition, while the batters finished with flair. The holders began their campaign with authority, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying tournament.