India made a statement in their Asia Cup 2025 campaign, thrashing the United Arab Emirates by nine wickets in Match No. 2 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10. Opting to bowl first, India’s attack dismantled the UAE batting order, rolling them over for just 57 runs inside 14 overs. Kuldeep Yadav’s crafty spin and Shivam Dube’s all-round brilliance stood out in what turned into a one-sided affair.
For the UAE, it was a reality check against world-class opposition. Head coach Lalchand Rajput, who was part of India’s support staff during their iconic 2007 T20 World Cup triumph, admitted his side was overwhelmed by India’s depth and quality.
“We never face bowlers of this calibre. The big names overawed our batters. Against world champions, you have to expect this. Till the power play, we were fine, but once the spinners came on, it was a different game. Even top batters struggle against Kuldeep and Varun. And if someone like Arshdeep can’t break into this XI, it shows how strong this Indian team is,” Lalchand Rajput told The Indian Express.
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India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav praised his bowlers for setting the tone. He credited the spinners for choking the opposition and acknowledged the critical support roles played by Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Dube.
“The wicket looked good but was on the slower side, which gave spinners a role. Kuldeep was outstanding, and the others backed him brilliantly. It was a collective bowling effort,” Suryakumar Yadav said post-match.
With a blistering net run rate of 10.48, India now sit comfortably at the top of the points table. Their next assignment is the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 14 at the same venue, followed by their final group-stage match against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
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The convincing win not only boosted India’s confidence but also underlined the gulf between them and associate nations like the UAE. For Rajput’s men, the takeaway was clear: exposure to elite-level cricket is crucial if they are to compete with heavyweights in tournaments like the Asia Cup.
