India vs UAE, Asia Cup 2025: Kuldeep’s 4-Wicket Spell, Dube’s Surprise Show Seal India’s 9-Wicket Win in Dubai
🏏 India vs UAE, Asia Cup 2025 Match Report – Dubai
It was a night of googlies in Dubai, and not just for the bowlers. India began their campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 by crushing hosts UAE by 9 wickets in a one-sided match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS).
Put in to bat by Suryakumar Yadav, the UAE side collapsed to their lowest ever T20I score – all out for 57 in just 13 overs. India needed just 4.3 overs to reach the target, making it their biggest T20I win by balls remaining (93).
🔥 The Toss Twist and Surprising Team Sheet
There were some chapter moments even before the game began. After 15 international matches, India finally won the toss and Surya jokingly warned his friend, captain Mohammad Mohammad, “Don’t look here.”
The team selection had its own surprises:
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Sanju Samson returned as wicketkeeper, pushing Jitesh Sharma out.
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Kuldeep Yadav made a comeback after being ignored during India’s England Test tour.
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Shivam Dube, seen more as a batting allrounder, was trusted with the ball and turned match-winner.
🎯 UAE’s Bright Start, Brutal Collapse
Fritz started well, Alishan Sharafu’s superb flatball yielded 25 runs in 3 overs. He hit a three-wicket haul and a towering six off Axar Patel. But Richardson’s yorker cost him his wicket and the team’s collapse began.
From 47/2 in the 8th over, UAE lost 8 wickets for just 10 runs, finishing at 57 all out.
🌀 Kuldeep Yadav Spins a Web
It was really Kuldeep Yadav’s (4-7 in 3 overs) night. His googlies and sharp turn proved to be too much for the UAE batsmen. Harshit Kaushik was bowled on a classic wrong-un, while a triple strike in the 9th over broke the back of the UAE.
Kuldeep’s figures are now the second-best in Asia Cup T20 history, only behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5/4 (2022). This was also his fourth 4-wicket haul in T20Is, moving him ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal.
Kuldeep said post-match:
“In T20s, length is the key. You have to read what the batters are trying to do and react ball by ball. I worked on fitness and rhythm, and tonight everything clicked.”
⚡ Shivam Dube’s Surprise Bowling Show
If Vladimir did magic, then Shivam Dubey did wonders. In just two overs, he took three wickets and took 3-4 wickets. It was a great spell for a player who has rarely bowled in IPL and international matches.
Dube credited bowling coach Morne Morkel:
“Morne told me to use the crease, bowl wide and mix in slower balls. Those tweaks have made a big difference. My pace is up, and I feel confident with the ball.”
💥 India’s Chase – A Walk in the Park
Chasing a 58-ball first-class target, Abhishek Sharma chased down the target in 30 balls off 16 balls, including a six. He was the only wicket as he was caught out trying for another big shot.
Shubman Gill (20 off 9) and Suryakumar Yadav (7 off 7)* completed the chase in just 4.3 overs, giving India their fastest T20I chase (by balls left).
📊 Key Records from the Match
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57 all out – UAE’s lowest-ever T20I total, and the second-lowest in Asia Cup history (after Hong Kong’s 38 vs Pakistan, 2022).
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93 balls remaining – India’s biggest T20I win by balls left, second only to England’s record vs Oman (2024).
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Kuldeep Yadav 4-7 – Second-best bowling figures in Asia Cup T20s.
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Shivam Dube 3-4 – His best bowling performance in T20Is.
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106 balls – The shortest completed T20I match India has ever played.
🗣️ Post-Match Reactions
Suryakumar Yadav (India captain):
“It was important to start well. The bowlers did the job. Happy to see Dube stepping up. Kuldeep showed his class. But we must not get complacent.”
Kuldeep Yadav (Player of the Match):
“I worked hard on my rhythm and fitness. The googly is always a weapon, but the key was my length today.”
Shivam Dube:
“I was told I’ll bowl tonight. Morne Morkel helped me improve my variations. Glad to contribute.”
Lalchand Rajput (UAE coach):
“Our players were overawed by India’s big names. We should have batted 20 overs. These wrist spinners are rare, even top players struggle against them.”
🏆 Conclusion
The gap between full members and associate nations was once again clearly visible. UAE started well but were outclassed by India’s spin and seam attack. For India, the positives were plenty – Kuldeep’s magic, Dube’s rise as a bowling option, and Abhishek’s fearless hitting.
With this 9-wicket thrashing, India have made a powerful statement in Asia Cup 2025.
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