Former India player Aakash Chopra has noted that India’s Asia Cup 2025 clash against the UAE was a mismatch. He added that the entire game was shorter than a T20 innings as Team India bowled the UAE out for 57 in 13.1 overs. And, they achieved the target in just 4.3 overs while losing only one wicket.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “It wasn’t a match, it was a mismatch because the UAE challenge was totally dismissed. It was being said that it’s a T20 match, but the two teams together played 17.4 overs. The match ended and India won. There was one question before this match for sure as to how Shubman Gill would play, would he run at the speed Abhishek Sharma runs? He ran even faster than him, although Abhishek Sharma hit a six off the first ball, and I am wondering who bowls a left-arm spinner when a left-hander is facing.”
“It’s like sending a lamb to the slaughterhouse. He hit sixes and showed intent. The match (innings) lasted only 4.3 overs. Shubman Gill remained unbeaten and Suryakumar Yadav came and hit a six off his first ball. This was as dominating as it could get,” he further added.
While talking about India’s bowling in the same video, Aakash Chopra applauded Kuldeep Yadav for delivering a stunning spell.
“Kuldeep Yadav’s comeback was incredible – four wickets. He bowled just 2.1 overs. He was picking up wickets whenever he bowled, and you wonder how fantastic the combination of Kuldeep and Varun Chakaravarthy is. Since Kuldeep Yadav hadn’t been playing for such a long time, people have forgotten the kind of form he is in,” he said.
“He didn’t play in England, but he was doing well in the IPL. He plays for a franchise that plays in tiny grounds, either in Vizag or the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He is releasing the ball very well, but no one is playing him. He should have been played in England, but you didn’t play him a single match. However, how much will you read into it? Will you clap when a university student tells the tables of two, three and four when you ask him to do so? The opposing team’s situation was very bad. It’s not the player’s mistake. If someone plays ordinary cricket against you, it is not your problem. However, you and I should not read too much into it,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
