India's Asia Cup 2025 campaign got off to a dominant start following a crushing nine-wicket win over United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 10. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube shone bright with the ball, one with a solid four-fer and the other with an impressive three-wicket haul, which confined UAE to the second lowest total in the Asia Cup history. However, India's star all-rounder Shivam Dube was presented with the Impact Player medal by bowling coach Morne Morkel after the match. This award, a playful twist on the team's traditional 'Best Fielder' honor, was a nod to Dube's impressive performance. His figures of 3/4 in just two overs earned him both appreciation and lighthearted teasing from his teammates, who were seen in a BCCI video cheering and laughing as Dube prepared to give a speech.
Morne Morkel awards Impact Player Medal to Shivam Dube
While Dube's performance was a highlight, the match was no laughing matter for the hosts. Kuldeep Yadav, making his comeback after missing the entire Test series in England, delivered a lethal spell. The left-arm wrist-spinner looked sharp and confident, taking three wickets in his very first over. He finished with a total of four wickets, single-handedly dismantling the UAE's batting lineup. Together, Dube and Kuldeep were instrumental in bowling out the UAE for a meager 57 runs in just 13.1 overs, giving the opposition no chance to recover.
Prior to the Asia Cup, Dube's evolution into a more versatile all-rounder has been a key point of focus for the Indian team management. His decisive spell against the UAE, which saw him tear through the middle order, was a clear demonstration of his ability to bowl his full four overs, a skill his coach Morne Morkel had been working on.
The subsequent chase was just as remarkable. Abhishek Sharma set a blistering pace with a flurry of boundaries, while Shubman Gill provided a steady presence at the other end. Captain Suryakumar Yadav's brief but impactful appearance sealed the deal. In just 4.3 overs, India completed the fastest successful chase in T20I history.
After a long hiatus from T20I cricket, Kuldeep made a remarkable return in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2025. He was in sensational form, weaving a web of spin to claim a four-wicket haul, giving away just seven runs in his 2.1 overs. Kuldeep was adjudged player of the match for his stunning spell.
India will now lock horns with Pakistan on September 14 before taking on Oman on September 19.