India’s past skipper Kapil Dev expressed his thrill and praise for the Men in Blue as they put up a merciless display against the UAE, thrashing the hosts by nine wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 inaugural match. The victory puts India well ahead of their explosive encounter versus their arch-rivals Pakistan.
India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: India Tear Apart UAE Batting Line-Up
India’s bowling attack was merciless as Kuldeep Yadav (4/7) and Shivam Dube (3/7) tore through UAE’s batting line-up, reducing them to just 57 runs in 13.1 overs. The UAE had one of those nights when nothing seems to go right, with openers Alishan Sharafu (22) and captain Muhammed Waseem (19) being the only two batters to score in double figures. The rest of the top order collapsed under constant pressure from India’s spinners and seamers.
Kuldeep was the man of the night, making the game one-sided with his clinical spell. Dube supplemented him with his medium pace, breaking key partnerships and never letting UAE settle.
India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek Sharma, Gill Smash UAE Bowlers
India’s 58-run chase was a batting show. Abhishek Sharma played with abandon right from the first ball, hitting a six and a four to get the party going. He ended up scoring 30 off 16 balls, with two fours and three sixes, before being yorked in the fourth over.
Vice-captain Shubman Gill also appeared as dangerous, remaining not out on 20 off a mere nine balls. His elegant cut shots and flicks left the scoreboard running. Suryakumar Yadav, who walked in after Abhishek got out, did not take much time and hit his very first ball for a six past fine leg.
Gill clinched the win with a boundary, completing the chase in 4.3 overs (27 balls) – one of India’s most dominating Asia Cup wins.
India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: Kapil Dev’s Big Praise
In response to India’s dominating victory, Kapil Dev said journalists, “I would like to wish good luck to the Indian Cricket Team. The manner in which they played, I have never witnessed anybody completing the game in five overs.”
Kapil’s words capture the form and confidence of this Indian team, which now goes into the highly awaited showdown against Pakistan with momentum well and truly in its favor.
With this resounding victory, India have issued a powerful warning to their opponents. The batting is unafraid, the bowlers are merciless, and the team is filled to the brim with self-confidence. Once again, fans can look forward to fireworks when India play Pakistan in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting encounters of the Asia Cup.
