Kuldeep Yadav etched his name into the record books with a sensational bowling masterclass as India dismantled the United Arab Emirates for a mere 57 runs in the Asia Cup 2025 opener. The left-arm wrist spinner not only orchestrated UAE’s batting collapse but also surpassed legendary Indian spinners R Ashwin and Axar Patel to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, claiming 73 wickets in 41 matches at an exceptional average of 13.39.
Kuldeep’s highlight came in the ninth over of UAE’s innings when he showcased his devastating skills. Rahul Chopra (3) fell to a sharp catch by vice-captain Shubman Gill on the first ball, skipper Waseem (19) was trapped LBW, and Harshit Kaushik (2) had his stumps shattered on the final delivery — three wickets in a single over that sealed the fate of UAE. The visitors were bowled out in just 13.1 overs, marking the second-lowest total in Asia Cup history after Hong Kong’s 38 against Pakistan in 2022.
India’s Chase: Lightning Fast and Unstoppable
Chasing a minuscule target of 58, India wrapped up the game in just 27 deliveries. Abhishek Sharma starred with a blistering 30 off 16 balls, while opening partner Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 20. Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed a quickfire 7 as India cruised to a nine-wicket victory in under two hours.
This win not only gives India a commanding start in the tournament but also builds immense momentum ahead of the highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Stadium.
Record-Breaking Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep’s extraordinary spell of 4/7 has firmly placed him at the top of India’s T20I wicket-taking charts. With his consistent variations and lethal spin, he continues to be a game-changer for India, particularly in high-pressure T20 contests like the Asia Cup. Fans will now eagerly watch if he can carry this form into the blockbuster India vs Pakistan showdown.
