India made a powerful start to their Asia Cup campaign with a nine-wicket win over the UAE, asserting their dominance with both bat and ball. This match, played at the Dubai International Stadium, finished in only 106 balls – one of India’s shortest T20Is ever.
In a streak of 15 consecutive toss losses in all formats, India finally won and chose to bowl; it couldn’t have gone better. The UAE, who had shown some promise with plucky displays against Pakistan and Afghanistan in a recent tri-series, were humbled for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs, the UAE’s lowest T20I total against India.
Bowling Brilliance from Kuldeep & Dube
Without torcher, India’s bowlers were on fire. Kuldeep Yadav, playing his first match after sitting on the bench during the England tour, obliterated the middle order of the UAE, with match-winning figures of 4 for 7. Kuldeep took three wickets in a single over, ending with a nice wrong’un to bowled Harshit Kaushik.
Shivam Dube, selected for his all-round ability, also made contributions with the ball, taking 3 for 4, furthering a terrific run of form after questions were raised about his bowling in the past. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel contributed one wicket each.
UAE Scorecard Summary:
- Alishan Sharafu – 22
- Muhammad Waseem – 12
- Kuldeep Yadav – 4/7 (3 overs)
- Shivam Dube – 3/4 (2 overs)
- UAE Total – 57 all out (13.1 overs)
India’s Quickest T20I Chase
In the second innings, however, India easily chased down the target. The opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill (two friends since U-14 cricket), got things off to an electrifying start 49 runs off 3.4 overs, with Abhishek providing a dynamic 30 runs off 19 balls and Gill scoring an unbeaten 20 runs off 12 balls.
After Abhishek departed, Suryakumar Yadav arrived and finished the game in just four more balls, flicking his first ball for a six that sealed the victory in only 4.3 overs, India’s fastest successful T20I chase in terms of balls faced.
India Scorecard Summary:
- Abhishek Sharma – 30 (19)
- Shubman Gill – 20* (12)
- India Total – 60/1 in 4.3 overs
Talking Points:
- India’s choice to back both wristspinners was a resounding success
- The bowling form of Shivam Dube also bolsters India’s options in the lower order
- The SKY-led team also showed stark sportsmanship in their decision to withdraw the stumping appeal they made against Junaid Siddique, post Suryakumar’s dismissal.
- With this victory, India begin their defence of the Asia Cup title on the best possible front.
India now head into their next fixture confidently elevated by their combinations starting to click, especially with the promising Gill – Abhishek opening partnership and Kuldeep’s return to form.
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