Abhishek Sharma stole the spotlight as India began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a stunning nine-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The left-handed opener, alongside Shubman Gill, completed India’s fastest chase in men’s T20I history in just 27 balls.
India’s bowlers set the stage for this emphatic victory. Kuldeep Yadav’s magical spell of 4-7 and Shivam Dube’s fiery 3-4 bundled UAE out for a mere 57 in 13.1 overs. That total quickly turned into a nightmare for the hosts, as India’s top order came out firing from ball one.
Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive Knock
From the very first ball, Abhishek was aggressive. He lofted Haider Ali over long-off for six, immediately asserting dominance. Gill, making his return to T20I cricket after more than a year, added a steady 20 not out, including a flick over square leg for six. But it was Abhishek who dazzled with fearless strokeplay, cracking a back-foot six over long-off and a crisp four over extra cover.
Even after a mistimed pull ended his innings, Abhishek had already made history. He joined the elite list of Indian batters to smash a six off the first ball of a T20I innings, alongside Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Samson.
A Statement Victory for Team India
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav added flair with a six over fine leg, while Gill sealed the chase with a boundary. India wrapped up the match in just 4.3 overs, shattering their previous record of 6.3 overs against Scotland in the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai.
For UAE, it was a night to forget as their batters faltered against India’s relentless attack and their bowlers failed to contain Abhishek’s fireworks. This dominant win not only gave India two points but also sent a strong message to Asia Cup rivals. With Pakistan and debutants Oman up next, India’s top order looks in imperious form.
Stay tuned for all the Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Cricket updates!