Spinner Kuldeep Yadav produced a dream spell of 4 for 7 as India bowled out the United Arab Emirates for 57 and chased the target in 4.3 overs to win their Asia Cup opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Asked to bat, UAE folded for 57 in 13.1 overs — the lowest total by a team against India in men’s T20Is — after collapsing from a steady 47 for 2, losing their last eight wickets for just 10 runs. Kuldeep, playing his first T20I since the 2024 World Cup final, turned the game with three wickets in his second over.
Shivam Dube (3/4) provided sharp support, while Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel picked one each. Bumrah’s yorker to clean up opener Alishan Sharafu (22) was the early highlight before Kuldeep’s googly and flight dismantled the middle order.
India’s chase was a mere formality. Abhishek Sharma blazed 30 off 14 balls, striking three sixes and two fours, while Shubman Gill (20\*) ensured the job was done in just 4.3 overs — India’s fastest successful chase in T20I history. Captain Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with an unbeaten seven.
The game also had a rare moment of sportsmanship when Suryakumar withdrew a stumping appeal against Junaid Siddique, who was distracted by Dube’s falling handkerchief. Siddique, however, soon holed out to mid-wicket.
India not only collected two points but also walked away with a massive net run-rate boost, sending out a statement at the very start of their campaign.
Brief scores: UAE 57 in 13.1 overs (Alishan Sharafu 22, Muhammad Waseem 19; Kuldeep Yadav 4/7, Shivam Dube 3/4) lost to India 60/1 in 4.3 overs (Abhishek Sharma 30, Shubman Gill 20\*; Junaid Siddique 1/16) by 9 wickets.
