Team India kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in dominant fashion, crushing UAE by nine wickets in the tournament opener. The story of the match? A spin bowling masterclass by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, who combined to rip through the UAE lineup for just 57 runs—their lowest-ever T20I total.
UAE coach Lalchand Rajput didn’t hold back in his assessment. “Honestly, it wasn’t even a turning pitch,” he said. “It was a good wicket to bat on, but the skill level of these wrist spinners and the length they bowled—too good. Our batters couldn’t handle it.”
“Our Batters Were Intimidated by Big Names”
Openers Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem scored 41 of the 57 runs, but the rest of the batting order collapsed spectacularly. UAE’s players looked clueless against Kuldeep’s sharp turn and Varun’s tricky lengths.
“Our players were facing this level of quality spin for the first time,” Rajput said. “When you’re up against players of this stature, it’s natural to feel the pressure. We should’ve at least played out the full 20 overs. But it’s all part of the learning curve.”
Coach Rajput Reflects on Defeat but Stays Optimistic
While acknowledging the poor batting show, Rajput also saw the silver lining. “Had we shown a bit more patience, we could’ve reached 130-140,” he noted.
But the coach isn’t dwelling on the loss. He pointed out UAE’s fighting performances in recent tri-series games against Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Apart from Abrar Ahmed, no spinner really troubled us. But wrist spinners like Varun can trouble even the best in the world.”
Asia Cup: A Stepping Stone Toward T20 World Cup 2026
For UAE, the Asia Cup isn’t just about competing—it’s a gateway to T20 World Cup 2026 qualification. Despite the heavy loss, Rajput remains confident.
“We don’t have much time,” he admitted. “We experimented in the Uganda series, beat Bangladesh at home, and pushed top sides in the tri-series. We lost, but gained belief. Now we need to keep moving forward.”
What Coach Lalchand Rajput Said (Highlights):
- Kuldeep and Varun’s spin attack broke UAE’s batting lineup
- Batters were under pressure facing India’s star bowlers
- Should’ve batted the full 20 overs to post a competitive score
- Still hopeful of qualifying for T20 World Cup 2026
- Beat Bangladesh, fought well against Pakistan and Afghanistan
- Team’s confidence growing, better performances expected ahead
👉 Bottom line: UAE may have been outclassed by India’s spin magic, but Coach Lalchand Rajput isn’t giving up. The road to T20 World Cup 2026 is still open, and he believes his team has what it takes to bounce back.
