India registered a big win over the United Arab Emirates in Match 2 of the Asia Cup 2025 on Wednesday, September 10, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Bowling first, India dominated completely, bowling out UAE for only 57 runs by the 14th over. Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube were the key performers with the ball for the Men in Blue.
After the match, UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput, who has played for India and was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning setup, shared his thoughts on the defeat. He admitted that his team struggled because they had little experience facing such a strong bowling attack, and that India’s depth in every department proved too much for them.
“We are not used to facing bowlers of this quality and were intimidated by India’s big names. World champions can dominate any team. We did well during the powerplay, but once the spinners came on, the game changed. Even though the pitch didn’t offer much turn, bowlers like Kuldeep and Varun can trouble even the best batters. Also, the fact that Arshdeep didn’t make the playing eleven shows how deep the Indian team is,” Rajput told the Indian Express after the match.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav was very pleased with his bowlers’ strong performance in the first innings, which made batting in the second innings much easier. He said that while the spinners did most of the work, the support from Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shivam Dube was also very important.
“Many of the players were here recently for the Champions Trophy. The pitch looked good but was a bit slow, so spinners had a role. It’s very hot right now, and Kuldeep bowled well, getting great support from Hardik, Dube, and Bumrah,” he said.
The Men in Blue are leading the points table with an impressive net run rate of 10.48. Their next match is against Pakistan on September 14 at the same venue. After that, they will play their final group stage game against Oman on September 19 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
FAQ
What did the UAE coach say after the match against India?
The UAE head coach admitted that his players were intimidated by India’s star players, which affected their performance on the field.
How did India perform in the match?
India dominated the game, showcasing strong batting and bowling, and maintained their top position in the Asia Cup 2025 points table.
Why did the UAE players struggle during the match?
Facing world-class Indian cricketers created psychological pressure, leading to mistakes and making it difficult for the team to play freely.
When is India’s next match in the Asia Cup 2025?
India will next face Pakistan on September 14, followed by their final group stage match against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
