Asia Cup 2025: India’s Inspiring Victory as Kuldeep Creates History
Introduction: A Night of Twists and Turns
India’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign began in Dubai with what looked like a routine win on paper, but the match had its fair share of surprises. From unexpected team selections to unusual crowd silence, the evening had plenty of googlies—both on and off the pitch. The star of the show, however, was Kuldeep Yadav, whose record-breaking spell of 4 for 7 dismantled the United Arab Emirates (UAE) batting order and reminded everyone why he remains India’s premier wrist spinner.
With the victory, India not only sealed a dominant nine-wicket win but also set an Asian T20I record for the biggest victory margin in terms of balls to spare (93 balls). For UAE, the game was a harsh lesson in facing world-class spin, but also a valuable experience as they build toward T20 World Cup qualification.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Magical Spell
Introduced into the attack in the 7th over, Kuldeep Yadav needed just 13 balls to etch his name into Asia Cup history.
- Over 1 (7th): Conceded four runs while testing UAE batters with variations.
- Over 2 (9th): Delivered a devastating triple strike—dismissing Rahul Chopra, captain Muhammad Waseem, and Harshit Kaushik.
- Over 3 (13th): Struck on the very first ball to remove Haider Ali, completing his four-wicket haul.
Key Records Set by Kuldeep:
- Second-best bowling figures in Asia Cup T20I history (4/7).
- Fastest bowler to take four wickets in Asia Cup T20Is (13 balls).
- Surpassed Pakistan’s Shadab Khan’s record of 17 balls against Hong Kong in 2022.
Speaking after the match, Kuldeep credited his improved fitness and training routines:
“Thanks to Adrian [Le Roux], the trainer. I was working on my bowling and fitness as well. In this format, the length is the key, reading what the batters are trying to do. Today, everything came together perfectly.”
Surprises Before the First Ball
Even before Kuldeep spun his magic, the game had taken unexpected turns:
- Toss Luck Returns – After 15 consecutive toss defeats, India finally won the toss, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav adding humor by warning Muhammad Waseem with a playful “Idhar mat dekho (don’t look here).”
- Samson Over Jitesh – Many expected Jitesh Sharma to take the gloves, given his extensive net practice, but India opted for Sanju Samson at No. 5 instead. It was a bold call, considering Samson had barely trained with the main squad.
- Kuldeep’s Recall – Having sat out five Tests in England, Kuldeep was surprisingly included on a grassy Dubai pitch, making his first T20I appearance since the 2024 World Cup final in Barbados.
Shivam Dube’s Redemption Arc
Another unlikely hero was Shivam Dube, who was picked primarily as a seam-bowling allrounder despite UAE’s spin-friendly conditions. Bowling just two overs, he snatched three wickets, doubling his tally from the last five IPL seasons combined.
Dube credited his turnaround to bowling coach Morne Morkel:
“During the England series, Morne told me to use the crease better, work on slower balls, and adjust my run-up. Those tips gave me confidence. My pace is good now and I feel comfortable with the ball.”
UAE Overawed by the Occasion
UAE’s innings went from promising to disastrous:
- Powerplay: 41/2 in six overs.
- Collapse: All out for 57 in 13.1 overs.
Coach Lalchand Rajput admitted his team struggled under pressure:
“They were overawed by India’s big names. Honestly, it wasn’t a turning track. But wristspinners like Kuldeep and Varun [Chakravarthy] are rare, even top players struggle against them. We should have batted 20 overs.”
Rajput, however, emphasized learning over disappointment, pointing out how UAE recently beat Bangladesh and competed well in a tri-series with Pakistan and Afghanistan.
India’s Chase: Abhishek Sharma Lights Up
With just 58 runs to get, India made quick work of the chase and showed no signs of slowing down.:
- Abhishek Sharma: Hit a six off his very first ball, continuing his reputation as an aggressive opener.
- Finish: India wrapped up the chase in just 4.3 overs, winning with 93 balls to spare.
This broke Sri Lanka’s previous Asian record of winning a T20I with 90 balls left against the Netherlands in 2014.
Fan Reactions: Silence in the Stands, Noise Online
Interestingly, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium—usually buzzing with Indian fans—was half-empty and relatively quiet. But on social media, reactions poured in:
- Twitter User @CricketLover: “Kuldeep Yadav is a cheat code in Asia Cup. Unplayable googlies!”
- Instagram Comment: “Abhishek Sharma starting with a six is the new Virender Sehwag vibe.”
- Fan Forum: “Great to see Shivam Dube finally bowling like an allrounder. Credit to Morkel for fixing his run-up.”
Trivia Corner
- Kuldeep Yadav is now the fastest bowler to claim 4 wickets in an Asia Cup T20I (13 balls).
- India’s win with 93 balls to spare is the biggest T20I win by an Asian Full Member.
- UAE’s 57 all-out is their lowest T20I total.
READ ABOUT Indian football fans have a reason to celebrate as Khalid Jamil becomes the first Indian coach in 13 years to lead at the top level, marking a historic moment for the sport in the country.
Exam-Relevant MCQs
Q1. Who previously held the record for the fastest four-wicket haul in Asia Cup T20Is before Kuldeep Yadav?
a) Rashid Khan
b) Wanindu Hasaranga
c) Shadab Khan
d) Varun Chakravarthy
Answer: c) Shadab Khan
Q2. How many balls did India have to spare in their victory against UAE in Asia Cup 2025?
a) 89
b) 90
c) 91
d) 93
Answer: d) 93
Q3. Which coach played a key role in improving Shivam Dube’s bowling ahead of the Asia Cup 2025?
a) Rahul Dravid
b) Morne Morkel
c) VVS Laxman
d) Zaheer Khan
Answer: b) Morne Morkel
Conclusion: Lessons Beyond the Scorecard
For India, the win was emphatic but also highlighted new talking points—Kuldeep’s magical comeback, Samson’s surprise selection, and Dube’s unexpected success with the ball. For UAE, the result was a reminder of the gulf in class, but also a chance to learn from competing against world-class opposition.
As the Asia Cup progresses, the real test for India will come against tougher opponents. But for now, Suryakumar Yadav’s men have announced their arrival in style, with a win that was not just about dominance, but also about rediscovering confidence in old heroes and finding promise in new ones.
Cricket, like life, is full of surprises—and sometimes, it’s the unexpected googlies that make the story worth telling.