Follow UsThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) endured a harsh reality check in their Asia Cup 2025 opener, suffering a crushing defeat to India on September 10 (Wednesday). Bowled out for just 57, the hosts saw India chase the target down in a mere 4.3 overs.
At 47/2 after eight overs, the UAE seemed to have steadied themselves, but left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav turned the game on its head with a sensational over, snaring three wickets and dismantling the batting order. Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel struck once each before all-rounder Shivam Dube took three wickets in two overs to bowl the UAE out in 13.1 overs.
“They never play such kind of bowlers, they were overawed by big names. 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,” the UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput admitted after the game.
The collapse was dramatic - UAE lost their last eight wickets for just 10 runs, and skipper Muhammad Waseem rued the batting implosion.
“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.”
UAE will look to bounce back when they face Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 15.