Asia Cup 2025: India Crush UAE by 9 Wickets in Dubai
The Asia Cup 2025 continues to deliver spectacles, and on September 10, 2025, cricket fans witnessed one of the most one-sided matches in the tournament’s history. Played at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the clash between India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) was billed as a classic David vs. Goliath encounter. While UAE entered the field with dreams of challenging a cricketing powerhouse, India ensured that reality struck early.
The Men in Blue outclassed their opponents in every department. The UAE were bowled out for a meager 57 runs in just 13.1 overs, undone by the guile of Kuldeep Yadav, who took 4 wickets for 7 runs, and the fiery spells of Shivam Dube and Jasprit Bumrah. India then stormed to victory in just 4.3 overs, registering a 9-wicket win with a record-breaking 93 balls to spare—one of the largest margins in T20I history.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement of dominance, a warning to other teams, especially Pakistan, who await India in their upcoming clash.
The Setting: Dubai’s Cricketing Theatre
Dubai International Stadium, bathed in the golden desert sunset, offered the perfect backdrop for this Asia Cup clash. With its ring of fire lighting system and a packed crowd featuring both Indian expatriates and UAE loyalists, the atmosphere was electric. The UAE, though considered underdogs, had their passionate supporters waving flags and hoping for an upset.
For India, this match was more than just about two points—it was about momentum. A clinical performance would set the tone for their blockbuster clash against Pakistan on September 14. Captain Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) knew the importance of keeping the team sharp, and he deployed his bowlers with ruthless precision.
The Toss and Team Selection
India won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that proved decisive. The pitch, though dry, had just enough assistance for spinners and variation bowlers. SKY trusted his bowling attack to dismantle UAE’s batting order, and the strategy worked to perfection.
India made a few tactical changes, giving opportunities to youngsters like Abhishek Sharma, who opened alongside Shubman Gill. Meanwhile, UAE banked on their experienced campaigners like Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind, and Asif Khan to put up a fight.
UAE Innings: Collapse Under Pressure
The UAE innings will be remembered as a story of survival gone wrong. Right from the first over, India’s bowlers applied suffocating pressure.
Key Moments of UAE’s Batting Collapse:
- Early Strikes by Bumrah and Dube – Bumrah’s lethal outswinger sent Alishan Sharafu packing, while Dube used his cutters effectively to break through the top order.
- Kuldeep’s Web of Spin – Kuldeep Yadav bowled with artistry, picking four wickets while giving away just seven runs. His variations in flight and turn left UAE’s batters clueless.
- Wickets Falling Like Dominoes – From 22/2, UAE slumped to 35/6. Their middle order simply couldn’t withstand India’s relentless attack.
UAE Innings Scorecard
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Waseem (c) | b Shivam Dube | 13 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 86.66 |
| Alishan Sharafu | b Jasprit Bumrah | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Aryan Lakra | c Gill b Kuldeep Yadav | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 |
| Asif Khan | lbw b Kuldeep Yadav | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Basil Hameed | c Sharma b Dube | 7 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Aayan Afzal Khan | b Kuldeep Yadav | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Vriitya Aravind (wk) | c SKY b Dube | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.85 |
| Ali Naseer | c Sharma b Kuldeep | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Akif Raja | st Jitesh b Kuldeep | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Junaid Siddique | run out (Sharma) | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Zahoor Khan | not out | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
Total: 57 all out in 13.1 overs
India’s Bowling Masterclass
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 2 | 9 | 1 | 4.50 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 3 | 13 | 0 | 4.33 |
| Shivam Dube | 3 | 12 | 3 | 4.00 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 3.1 | 7 | 4 | 2.21 |
| Washington Sundar | 2 | 14 | 0 | 7.00 |
Kuldeep Yadav’s spell was nothing short of mesmerizing. His wrist-spin extracted sharp turn and bounce, deceiving even the most experienced UAE batsmen. Shivam Dube, too, showcased his utility as a bowler, chipping in with three crucial wickets.
India’s Chase: Ruthless and Rapid
Chasing a target of 58 was never going to trouble India, but the way they approached the innings displayed intent.
- Abhishek Sharma, opening for India, hammered 30 off 16 balls, including five boundaries and one six. His fearless stroke play reminded fans of Yuvraj Singh’s early days.
- Shubman Gill played a polished knock of 20* off 9 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with a quick 7*.
- India sealed the chase in just 4.3 overs with 93 balls remaining, registering one of the fastest victories in Asia Cup history.
India Innings Scorecard
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | c Aravind b Junaid | 30 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 187.50 |
| Shubman Gill | not out | 20 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 222.22 |
| Suryakumar Yadav (c) | not out | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
Extras: 2 (1b, 1lb)
Total: 58/1 in 4.3 overs (RR 12.88)
UAE’s Bowling Struggles
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junaid Siddique | 2 | 22 | 1 | 11.00 |
| Zahoor Khan | 1.3 | 24 | 0 | 16.00 |
| Akif Raja | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10.00 |
Records Broken in This Match
- India’s fastest chase in Asia Cup history (4.3 overs).
- Victory with 93 balls remaining – among the biggest in T20I cricket.
- Kuldeep Yadav’s figures of 4/7 – one of the most economical spells in Asia Cup history.
- Lowest total by UAE in Asia Cup – 57 runs.
Expert Opinions
- Ravi Shastri: “Kuldeep Yadav is peaking at the right time. If he continues this rhythm, India will be unstoppable.”
- Wasim Akram: “UAE should not be disheartened. Matches like these are stepping stones in their development. But India today were ruthless.”
- Harbhajan Singh: “Abhishek Sharma batting like that at the top shows India’s bench strength. The intent was clear.”
Fans’ Reactions
Social media exploded after India’s emphatic win.
- An Indian fan on Twitter wrote: “Kuldeep Yadav, take a bow! 4/7 – pure magic!”
- A UAE supporter said: “Tough loss, but proud to see UAE competing at this level. We’ll come back stronger.”
- Memes flooded the internet, with many comparing the chase to a “net practice session” for India.
Historical Context
India has a long history of dominating associate nations in multi-team tournaments. This match evoked memories of India’s crushing win over Hong Kong in 2018 and mirrored other one-sided contests in Asia Cup history.
For UAE, participation itself is a step forward. Competing against world-class sides provides invaluable experience for their young players like Aryan Lakra and Aayan Afzal Khan.
Looking Ahead
With this win, India are brimming with confidence as they head into their high-voltage clash against Pakistan on September 14, 2025. The Men in Green will be wary of India’s form, particularly their bowling firepower.
For UAE, the challenge will be to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and perform better in their next fixture.
Conclusion
India’s demolition of UAE in the Asia Cup 2025 will go down as one of the most clinical performances in tournament history. From Kuldeep Yadav’s spin masterclass to Abhishek Sharma’s fearless batting, every aspect of India’s game clicked.
This victory wasn’t just about two points—it was about sending a message to the rest of Asia: India mean business.
