Home
India vs United Arab Emirates, Asia Cup 2025: India registered a flawless victory against UAE to kickstart their T20 Asia Cup 2025 campaign. The bowlers were terrific, even Shivam Dube, as India bundled out UAE for 57 in 13.1 overs. This is UAE’s lowest score in the format. After the nine-wicket defeat, UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput chose not to be harsh on the batters as they lack experience against a quality India bowling attack.
"They never play such kind of bowlers, they were overawed by big names," Rajput said in the post-match press conference.
Rajput lauded how Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy extracted turn from the pitch. The former India cricketer how a bowler like Arshdeep Singh could not make it to the playing eleven.
"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," added Rajput.
While Rajput feels that UAE batters should have played 20 overs instead of getting bowled out with 41 balls left in the innings, he said that it is a learning curve for the players.
"See, this is a big platform for them. It's a learning process for our players as well. I'm sure these matches will give them a lot of confidence. We just have to move on from here,” he said.
Rajput puts faith in UAE batters
UAE batters were bamboozled by Indian spinners. Rajput still has confidence in UAE batters’ ability to play against spin despite their recent struggles.
"We hardly got out to the spinners. It was just one spinner that we got out and that was Abrar [Pakistan’s leg-spinner] in the second game [he picked up 4 for 9]. But we really played well in the tri-series. So yes, I think as I said earlier, these spinners are rare because wristspinners, like Varun Chakravarthy, even top players struggle against them," the 63-year-old added.
UAE’s next clash
UAE will now face a familiar foe Oman on September 15 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. UAE have won four games out of eight against Oman in the format.
ADVERTISEMENT
