The Unired Arab Emirates (UAE) batters had never faced bowlers of India’s quality and were somewhat overawed by the big names in the opposition, coach Lalchand Rajput said after they were blown away by the defending champions on Wednesday in their opening match of the 2025 Asia Cup. UAE were bowled out for as little as 57 runs in 13.1 overs, after which India chased down the target in four and a half overs.
“They never play such kind of bowlers, they were overawed by big names,” Rajput, also a former India cricketer and coach, said after the defeat. India, the reigning Asian and world champions, decided to go spin heavy for the opening game, playing just one specialist pacer in Bumrah, leaving out Arshdeep Singh.
Kuldeep Yadav foxed the inexperienced UAE batters to end with a match-winning four-wicket haul. UAE had a fairly good start but Jasprit Bumrah (1/19) and Varun Chakaravrthy’s (1/4) powerplay strikes started their collapse. Shivam Dube (3/4) also played his part in the demolition job that the Indian bowlers did in the middle overs, as did Axar Patel (1/13).
“World champions will crush teams. It was good till powerplay but once spinners started operating, it changed. There was not much turn but if it’s Kuldeep and Varun, even top batters struggle against them. Also, if Arshdeep can’t make it to playing eleven, it tells you about the (Indian) team’s depth,” added Rajput.
Suryakumar hails clinical performance
India captain Suryakmar Yadav said that the team got the attitude and energy they wanted in the field on the day. “Wanted to see how the wicket was playing. It was the same in the 2nd innings. Clinical performance from the boys, we wanted good attitude and energy on the field and that’s what we got,” he said. This was India’s first match in over a month, having gone on a break after their gruelling five-Test tour of England. It was also the first T20I India were playing since February.
“Recently lot of the boys were here for the Champions Trophy, the wicket looked good but it was on the slower side and the spinners have a role. Here it is very hot right now and Kuldeep did well, got good support from Hardik, Dube and Bumrah,” The skipper was also lauded young Abhishek Sharma for his exploits upfront. Abhishek blasted 30 off 16 balls along with Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 20 off nine balls, which helped India cruise to the target even before the end of the powerplay.
“He (Abhishek) is currently the World number one batter for a reason, he sets the tone, irrespective of if we chase 200 or 50, unbelievable from him. Everyone is excited for the game against Pakistan,” Yadav said.
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UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem said losing wickets in a cluster cost them the game. “We started well as a batting team, we lose wickets in a cluster which cost us the game. They are a brilliant team and they are bowling very well. They are executing their plans for every batter, that’s why they are the No.1 team.”
With agency inputs
