Team India opened their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, scripting history in Dubai with the fastest run chase ever recorded in men’s T20 international cricket. The defending T20 World Cup champions dismantled hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a one-sided contest, winning by nine wickets and announcing their arrival with a performance that blended ruthless bowling and fearless batting.

India’s Dominant Bowling Display

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav opted to bowl first after winning the toss, and his decision proved spot on as India’s bowlers produced a clinical performance. UAE’s batting lineup crumbled under relentless pressure, folding for a meagre 57 runs in just 13.1 overs.

• Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the star of the show with a magical spell of left-arm wrist spin. He finished with 4 wickets for just 7 runs in 2.1 overs, leaving the UAE batters clueless.

• Shivam Dube, showcasing his growing stature as an all-rounder, chipped in with 3 for 4 in 2 overs.

• Supporting acts came from Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy, each picking up a wicket.

For UAE, opener Alishan Sharafu offered the only semblance of resistance, scoring 22 runs before becoming Kuldeep’s victim. The rest of the batting order simply couldn’t cope with India’s relentless attack, collapsing in waves.

Abhishek Sharma’s Fireworks and Historic First-Ball Six

If India’s bowling was ruthless, their batting response was nothing short of explosive. Chasing just 58, openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill wasted no time in putting the game to bed.

Abhishek set the tone in the most dramatic fashion possible — by smashing a towering six over long-off on the very first ball of the chase. In doing so, he created history by becoming the first Indian batter in T20I cricket to hit a six off the first ball of a run chase.

The young opener continued his assault, hammering 30 runs off just 13 balls, including three sixes and two fours. His fearless strokeplay left the UAE bowlers rattled, and although he eventually fell to Junaid Siddique while attempting another big hit, the damage was already done.

Gill Anchors, Surya Finishes in Style

At the other end, Shubman Gill marked his return to the T20I side after more than a year with a calm and composed unbeaten knock of 20 off 9 balls. His strokeplay provided balance to Abhishek’s fireworks, ensuring that the chase remained controlled.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav joined the party with a trademark flicked six over fine leg, sealing the win in just 4.3 overs. India’s record-breaking performance surpassed their previous fastest chase of 6.3 overs against Scotland at the 2021 T20 World Cup, also in Dubai.

Fastest Chases by India in Men’s T20Is (By Overs)

• 4.3 overs vs UAE, Dubai, 2025

• 6.3 overs vs Scotland, Dubai, 2021

• 9.2 overs vs Bangladesh, Hangzhou, 2023

The result not only gave India a massive boost in net run rate but also sent a strong message to their rivals: the champions are here to dominate.

Post-Match Reactions: Suryakumar Praises Bowlers and Abhishek

Speaking at the post-match presentation, captain Suryakumar Yadav explained his decision to bowl first and lauded his team’s all-round effort:

“I wanted to see how the wicket was playing. It was the same in the second innings. Clinical performance from the boys; we wanted good attitude and energy on the field and that’s what we got. Recently, a lot of the boys were here for the Champions Trophy. The wicket looked good but it was on the slower side and the spinners had a role. Here it is very hot right now and Kuldeep did well, getting good support from Hardik, Dube, and Bumrah.”

On Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking start, the skipper added:

“He is currently the world’s number one batter for a reason; he sets the tone, irrespective of if we chase 200 or 50. Unbelievable from him. Everyone is excited for the game against Pakistan.”

A Perfect Start for the Champions

For UAE, the game was a harsh reminder of the gulf in quality between emerging teams and world champions. For India, however, it was the dream start: a massive win, a historical milestone, and momentum ahead of the high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.

The combination of Kuldeep Yadav’s magical spell and Abhishek Sharma’s audacious batting ensured that this victory will be remembered not just as a win, but as a statement of intent from a team determined to defend their crown.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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