India captain Suryakumar Yadav was over the moon as the Men in Blue opened their Asia Cup 2025 tournament with a crushing 9-wicket win over the UAE on September 10, 2025, in Dubai. This was the first game of Group A.

India won the toss and asked the UAE to bat first. Despite 22 by Alishan Sharafu and 19 by captain Muhammad Waseem, the UAE was bowled out for 57 runs in 13.1 overs. UAE lost their last eight wickets for the addition of just ten runs.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav took 4/7 in 2.3 overs, and Shivam Dube surprised with 3 wickets for four runs in 2 overs.

India chased down the runs in just 4.3 overs, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 30 in 16 balls with 3 sixes and 2 fours before falling to Junaid Siddique. Shubman Gill made 20* in 9 balls with two fours and one six, while Suryakumar Yadav made 7* in 2 balls as India won by 9 wickets with 93 balls remaining.

Kuldeep Yadav was given the Player of the Match for his four wickets.

After the win, Suryakumar Yadav stated that the reason behind his bowling first after winning the toss was that he wanted to see how the surface played out.

“Wanted to see how the wicket was playing. It was the same in the 2nd inning. 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 and got good support from Hardik, Dube, and Bumrah,” Suryakumar said in the post-match presentation.

He also praised Abhishek Sharma for setting the tone for the chase.

“He (Abhishek) is currently the world number one batter for a reason; he sets the tone, irrespective of whether we chase 200 or 50. Unbelievable from him. Everyone is excited for the game against Pakistan. Everyone wants to play a good game, and we are really looking forward to it,” he added.

India’s Group A game will be against Pakistan on September 14 at the same venue.