Former India captain and cricketing legend Ajay Jadeja has sparked debate over the structure of the Asia Cup 2025 following India’s emphatic win against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai on September 10. The Group A opener turned into a one-sided contest as India chased down a paltry 58 in just 4.3 overs, showcasing their overwhelming dominance.
After winning the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav opted to field, allowing his bowlers to dictate terms from the outset. The UAE initially made a steady start, reaching 26 runs without loss in the first 21 balls, but the innings soon collapsed. Kuldeep Yadav led the onslaught, finishing with exceptional figures of 4 for 7, while Shivam Dube contributed 3 for 4. Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Jasprit Bumrah picked up one wicket each, bundling the UAE out for 57 in just 13.1 overs.
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Speaking on Sony Sports, Jadeja expressed concern over whether including associate teams like UAE truly benefits the tournament. “There was no contest at all. There is sadness because of the way the UAE approached their innings. I admit you can’t compete against India, but they didn’t even play 20 overs,” he said.
He added that while India’s superiority is unquestionable, lopsided games could harm the credibility and competitive spirit of the Asia Cup. Jadeja pointed out that only Sharafu (22 off 17) and captain Muhammad Waseem (19 off 22) showed resistance, while the rest of the UAE batting lacked skill and composure.
“Apart from the first three players, they don’t have the talent. Quality, competitiveness, and edge were missing,” he added.
However, UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput disagreed with the notion of the match being a complete mismatch. He emphasised the learning opportunity such contests provide, allowing players to gauge their level and build confidence for future games.
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“Even small improvements against powerhouses like India and Pakistan can give his team the belief to perform stronger in future matches,” Lalchanda Rajput explained.
India currently leads Group A with a staggering net run rate of +10.483 and will face Pakistan on September 14, while the UAE aims to regroup ahead of their clash with Oman on September 15.
