The Asia Cup 2025 kicked off in style yesterday, September 10, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where defending champions India opened their campaign against the UAE. The atmosphere was electric, with a full house cheering as India began their title defense with a commanding performance.
India’s Strong Start
India won the toss and opted to bat, showcasing their batting depth from the start. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a steady opening stand, laying the platform for the middle order. Virat Kohli’s fluent knock and Hardik Pandya’s finishing fireworks powered India to a big total, sending a clear message to rivals.
UAE’s Fightback Efforts
The UAE, playing in front of their home crowd, showed flashes of promise. Their bowlers managed to break partnerships at key moments, and their top order fought bravely during the chase. However, India’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, proved too strong, sealing a comfortable win for the Men in Blue.
Why This Match Matters
This victory not only gave India a winning start but also highlighted their squad depth and balanced lineup ahead of tougher fixtures. With the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash on September 14 in the same stadium, this opener served as the perfect dress rehearsal for bigger battles to come.
Tournament Outlook
- Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
- Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong
The tournament runs until September 28, with the final also set to be played in Dubai. The prize money for this year’s event is expected to be higher than the 2023 edition, though the ACC has yet to announce official figures.
Final Take
India’s convincing win over UAE set the tone for their campaign, and fans are now eagerly awaiting the blockbuster clash with Pakistan on Sunday. For UAE, the match was a valuable test of their progress against top-tier competition.