Asia Cup 2025: India Begin Campaign with a Commanding Win Over UAE

Dubai, September 10, 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 got off to a thrilling start as India launched their campaign with a dominant performance against the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match was not just about the result, but also about the breaking of an unusual streak that had haunted Indian cricket for months.

Toss Luck Finally Changes

After losing 15 consecutive tosses across formats, India’s stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav finally turned fortunes around by calling it right. Opting to bowl first, he immediately put the UAE on the back foot with a bold decision that paid off handsomely. The crowd in Dubai, filled with a large Indian diaspora, roared as if the toss itself was a victory.

UAE’s Struggles in the Powerplay

India’s bowling attack came out firing. Hardik Pandya opened with pace but was slightly wayward early on, allowing UAE’s Alishan Sharafu to play a few crisp strokes. However, the joy was short-lived. Jasprit Bumrah, making his much-anticipated return, struck gold with a trademark yorker that shattered Sharafu’s stumps.

From there, India’s spinners took control. Varun Chakravarthy trapped Zohaib Khan, with Kuldeep Yadav showing sharp reflexes in the field. The combination of Bumrah’s pace and the mystery spin duo created havoc, and UAE found themselves reeling at 50 for 5 inside the first six overs. The early collapse meant the hosts were never able to build momentum.

India’s Bowling Brilliance

It wasn’t just about wickets—it was about control.

• Bumrah looked as lethal as ever, mixing yorkers with slower deliveries.
• Kuldeep Yadav teased the batters with drift and turn, choking the scoring rate.
• Varun Chakravarthy used his variations smartly, picking up crucial breakthroughs.
• Hardik Pandya recovered from his loose start to deliver disciplined overs in the middle phase.

UAE’s batting lineup, while spirited, lacked the experience to counter such a high-quality attack. Their innings eventually folded for a modest total, giving India the upper hand.

India’s Batting Response

Chasing a below-par target, India’s top order played with freedom and intent.

• Abhishek Sharma gave a flying start, using the powerplay to good effect with aggressive strokeplay.
• Shubman Gill anchored the innings, showing composure and class against both pace and spin.
• Captain Suryakumar Yadav walked in at number three, adding flair with his trademark 360-degree shots.

While the chase never looked in doubt, what stood out was India’s clinical approach. They didn’t just play to win; they played to send a message that they mean business in this tournament.

A New Chapter for Sanju Samson

One of the talking points ahead of the match was the inclusion of Sanju Samson as the wicketkeeper-batsman. Coming in the middle order, Samson looked assured behind the stumps and added valuable runs, silencing debates around his role in the side. His presence added depth to India’s batting, giving the team much-needed flexibility.

Key Takeaways from the Match

1. Toss Jinx Broken – India can finally start games without the burden of an unlucky streak.
2. Bowling Firepower – With Bumrah back and the spinners in rhythm, India look lethal with the ball.
3. Balanced Line-Up – The blend of young talent and experienced campaigners gives the team multiple match-winners.
4. UAE’s Spirit – Despite the heavy defeat, UAE showed flashes of promise, especially in the way Sharafu attacked early on.

Looking Ahead

This win sets the tone for India’s Asia Cup campaign. With tougher opponents waiting, including traditional rivals and rising Asian teams, the emphatic nature of this victory gives them a psychological edge. For UAE, the challenge will be to regroup quickly, learn from the mistakes, and use the home advantage better in the coming games.

Final Word

The Asia Cup has always been a stage for drama, passion, and high-quality cricket, and the India vs UAE clash was no different. India not only secured two crucial points but also regained confidence, momentum, and perhaps a little bit of luck. For fans, it was the perfect start to what promises to be an exciting tournament.