Team India, defending champions of the Asia Cup, kicked off their campaign with a commanding nine-wicket win over the hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). After opting to bowl first by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Indian bowlers dismantled the UAE’s batting line-up as they bundled them out for a mere 57 in 13.1 overs, with Kuldeep Yadav (4/7), Shivam Dube (3/4), Axar Patel (1/13), Varun Chakravarthy (1/4), and Jasprit Bumrah (1/19) among the wickets.
In response to a 58-run target, Team India chased it down in just 4.3 overs, their fastest ever run-chase in T20Is. Openers Abhishek Sharma (30) and Shubman Gill (20*) unleashed their firepower at the top as they formed a 48-run stand for the opening wicket. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Gill smashed a six and a boundary, respectively, to finish off the match in the powerplay.