India made a thunderous start to their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in Dubai, rewriting history books with the fastest-ever chase in men’s T20I
cricket.
The defending T20 World Cup champions needed just 4.3 overs to wipe out the modest target of 58 set by hosts United Arab Emirates, cruising to a nine-wicket victory that doubled up as a statement of intent.
The evening belonged first to India’s bowlers, who completely dismantled the UAE line-up.
Kuldeep Yadav was unplayable, finishing with a magical spell of 4 for 7, while all-rounder Shivam Dube chipped in with 3 for 4.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy took one wicket apiece as UAE were bundled out for just 57 in 13.1 overs. Only opener Alishan Sharafu offered resistance with 22 runs, as the rest crumbled under relentless pressure.
But the real fireworks came in the chase. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill wasted no time in setting the tone.
Abhishek launched the innings with a towering six over long-off, then followed it up with a flurry of boundaries that left the UAE bowlers rattled. His 30 off just 13 balls included three sixes and two fours before he fell trying to clear the field once again.
Fastest chase by India in Men's T20I ( by overs)
- 4.3 overs v U.A.E, Today
- 6.3 overs v SCO, Dubai 2021
- 9.2 overs v BAN, Hangzhou 2023
Gill, making a return to the T20I side after more than a year, anchored calmly at the other end, finishing unbeaten on 20.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav joined the fun with a trademark flicked six over fine leg and ensured there was no hiccup as India romped home in record time.
The win surpassed India’s previous quickest chase of 6.3 overs against Scotland at the 2021 T20 World Cup, ironically also in Dubai, and underlined the gulf between the two sides.
For UAE, it was a night to forget; for India, it was the perfect beginning, capped by a massive net run rate boost and the aura of champions stamping authority from the very first game.
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