At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India easily defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by nine wickets to begin their 2025 Men’s Asia Cup campaign. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill finished a modest chase in 27 balls.
Abhishek (30) and Gill (20 not out) dominated the UAE bowling attack with a variety of brilliant shots, making the chase easy after Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube were instrumental with the ball, picking 4-7 and 3-4 as India cleaned out the UAE for just 57.
Together with captain Suryakumar Yadav (seven not out), the two made sure that India had their fastest chase in men’s T20I history, finishing the contest far earlier than expected with just 4.3 overs and providing themselves a huge gain in net run rate.
India, the current T20 World Cup champions, won with a resounding victory, surpassing their previous record of completing the chase in 6.3 overs against Scotland at the 2021 Men’ T20 World Cup, which was also held in Dubai.
It was a memorable evening for the UAE. Their bowlers had no solutions to halt a raiding Abhishek, Gill, and Suryakumar, while their batting was unable to match the caliber and tenacity of India’s bowling lineup.
Abhishek got off to a quick start by swiping the spinner for another boundary after lofting Haider Ali through the line for a six over long-off. After more than a year, Gill made his T20I comeback by slashing Muhammad Rohid for four runs before flicking uppishly over square leg for six.
Abhishek made the shot of the modest chase by scything the spinner over extra cover for four runs after going on the defensive to muscle Dhruv Parashar over long-off for six. Abhishek attempted another heave after taking Junaid Siddique for six, but he skied to mid-on.
In order to give the Indian squad a decisive victory, Gill went on the defensive to draw Simranjeet Singh beyond mid-on for four, while Suryakumar got off to his usual swish over fine leg for six.
Brief Scores: India 60/1 in 4.3 overs (Abhishek Sharma 30, Shubman Gill 20 not out, Junaid Siddique 1-16) defeated UAE 57 in 13.1 overs (Alishan Sharafu 22, Muhammad Waseem 19; Kuldeep Yadav 4-7, Shivam Dube 3-4) by nine wickets.
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