Finance
Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill completed a modest chase in 27 balls to help India defeat the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by nine wickets and open their 2025 Men’s Asia Cup campaign at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
After Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube excelled with the ball, picking 4-7 and 3-4 as India wiped out UAE for only 57, Abhishek (30) and Gill (20 not out) ripped into the UAE bowling attack with a slew of spectacular shots, making the chase a breeze.
The duo, along with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (seven not out), led India to their quickest chase in men’s T20I history, finishing the contest in only 4.3 overs, considerably faster than expected, and giving themselves a big net run rate increase.
India, the current T20 World Cup champions, won emphatically, breaking their previous record of concluding the chase in 6.3 overs against Scotland at the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup, which was held in Dubai.
For the UAE, it was an evening to forget. Their batting could not match the quality and tenacity of India’s bowling line-up, and their bowlers had no solutions to halt a rampaging Abhishek, Gill, and Suryakumar.
Abhishek was off the mark from the start, lofting Haider Ali through the line for a six over long-off before swiping the spinner for another boundary. Gill, making his T20I comeback after more than a year, sliced Muhammad Rohid for four before flicking uppishly over square leg for six.
Abhishek hit the shot of the modest chase, stepping on the back foot to muscle Dhruv Parashar over long-off for six and then scything the spinner over extra cover for four. After hauling Junaid Siddique for six, Abhishek attempted another heave but skied to mid-on.
Suryakumar opened the scoring with his characteristic swish over fine leg for six, while Gill went on the backfoot to draw Simranjeet Singh beyond mid-on for four, completing a statement win for India.
Brief Scores: UAE 57 in 13.1 overs (Alishan Sharafu 22, Muhammad Waseem 19; Kuldeep Yadav 4-7, Shivam Dube 3-4) lost to India 60/1 in 4.3 overs (Abhishek Sharma 30, Shubman Gill 20 not out; Junaid Siddique 1-16) by nine wickets
Source: IANS
