India demolished UAE by nine wickets in their
Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Wednesday, with Kuldeep Yadav's remarkable bowling figures of 4/7 leading the defending champions to victory after bowling out the hosts for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs.
India's bowlers dominated the match from the start after choosing to field first in the T20 contest. Shivam Dube claimed three wickets before Kuldeep Yadav's devastating spell sealed UAE's fate.
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The chase was brief and decisive, with India reaching the target in 4.3 overs. Abhishek Sharma scored a quick 30 off 16 balls, while Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 20.
UAE's innings began promisingly with opener Alishan Sharafu scoring 22 off 17 balls before falling to Jasprit Bumrah. Captain Muhammad Waseem contributed 19 runs, but no other batsman reached double figures.
Kuldeep Yadav, playing his first T20 for India since their World Cup triumph in Barbados last year, took three wickets in a single over, including Waseem's wicket.
In India's chase, world number one T20 batter Abhishek Sharma attacked from the start, hitting three sixes and a four before being caught off Junaid Siddique. Gill finished the match with a boundary, with Suryakumar remaining unbeaten on seven.
When will India play next?India's next contest in the Asia Cup is the big one against Pakistan on September 14 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. That match will get underway at 8pm IST (6:30pm local time). Pakistan will get their Asia Cup campaign underway before that, against Oman on September 12.
The current T20 tournament serves as preparation for next year's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka.