UAE cricket head coach Lalchand Rajput is relishing the chance to face his former pupil, Gautam Gambhir, who is now at the helm of the Indian team, as his side gears up for a high-stakes Asia Cup clash. UAE will take on India in their Group A opener on Wednesday at the Dubai International Stadium, a contest that pits the associate nation against one of cricket’s most dominant forces.

While India comes into the tournament after a gruelling five-match Test series against England, their T20I preparation has been minimal, creating an interesting dynamic. UAE, on the other hand, has been busy in the shortest format, recently competing in a T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although Rajput’s team ended winless, he believes those matches have provided invaluable exposure ahead of this marquee encounter.

Acknowledging India’s reputation and depth, Lalchand Rajput stressed that T20 cricket is unpredictable and one big performance can swing a match. “India is a big team. They were the champions in the last World Cup. But this is a great opportunity to play against them. In T20s, a single batter or bowler can change the game. We’ll play fearless cricket,” Rajput told ANI.

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The upcoming fixture marks the UAE’s first Asia Cup appearance since 2016, and Rajput is optimistic about his team’s potential. With captain Muhammad Waseem’s explosive batting and Asif Khan’s power-hitting, coupled with a quality spin attack, the UAE coach is confident they can challenge India if they execute their plans well.

“Our batting is strong, and we have good spinners. Playing at home gives us an edge, but facing India brings pressure. The players are ready for the challenge,” he added.

Lalchand Rajput also praised India’s squad depth, naming Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma as just a few of the many match-winners.

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“It’s impossible to pick one player—they’re all dangerous,” he said. For Rajput, this match carries a personal element as well. He is set to reunite with Gambhir, who was India’s highest scorer in the 2007 T20 World Cup final. “I’m looking forward to meeting him after so many years. It will be great to catch up,” Rajput concluded.

With UAE seeking an upset and India keen to start strong, this clash promises an intriguing battle between experience, ambition, and fearless cricket.