India could not have asked for a better start to their Asia Cup 2025 campaign. At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Suryakumar Yadav’s men dismantled the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in ruthless fashion, sealing a nine-wicket win with a staggering 93 balls to spare – the largest margin of victory in Asia Cup T20 history.
It wasn’t just a win; it was a record-breaking statement.
UAE bundled out in a hurry
Opting to field first, Suryakumar’s decision immediately paid off. Jasprit Bumrah struck early, while Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube ripped through the middle order. The hosts crumbled to 57 all out in 13.1 overs – their lowest total in T20Is, eclipsing their previous low of 62 against Scotland.
This 57 was also the second-lowest score in Asia Cup T20 history, only behind Hong Kong’s 38 against Pakistan in 2022.
Kuldeep finished with four wickets, Dube chipped in with three, and the rest was a procession.
Fastest T20I chase by India
If the bowling was ruthless, the batting was even more brutal. India needed just 4.3 overs to knock off the 58-run target – the fastest T20I chase in Indian cricket history.
Openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma came out swinging, smashing boundaries from the word go. Even after losing a wicket, the chase barely broke stride as India reached home in style, leaving UAE stunned and the Dubai crowd buzzing.
Previous fastest T20I chases by India:
- 6.3 overs vs Scotland, Dubai 2021
- 9.2 overs vs Bangladesh, Hangzhou 2023
Now, 4.3 overs against UAE tops the list.
Records broken in Dubai
This wasn’t just a win – it was a match that will be remembered for the sheer number of records rewritten.
- Largest margin of victory (by balls remaining) in Asia Cup history: 93 balls.
- Fastest T20I chase by India: 4.3 overs.
- UAE’s lowest T20I total: 57 all out.
- Fourth-fewest balls in a completed T20I involving a full member team: 106 balls.
To put it into perspective: in all T20Is, only England’s 2024 win over Oman (101 balls left) had a bigger margin of victory by balls remaining.
A ruthless intent
What stood out most was not just the numbers but the intent. India’s bowling had bite, and their batting had no hesitation. From the first ball to the last, they played with an authority that screamed: we are here to dominate.
This was not just a win over UAE – it was a message to the rest of Asia.
