The left-arm spinner’s sensational four-wicket burst powered India to their biggest T20I victory, rewriting records and underlining their dominance in the shortest format.
Dubai, September 11 – It was a night of records, dominance, and sheer brilliance as Kuldeep Yadav spun India to glory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the Asia Cup. With a fiery spell that read 4 wickets for just 7 runs in 2.1 overs, Kuldeep not only dismantled the UAE batting line-up but also etched his name above Ravichandran Ashwin in the all-time T20I wicket-takers list.
The UAE batting order crumbled under pressure, collapsing for a meagre 57 runs in just 13.1 overs, their second-lowest score in Asia Cup history after Hong Kong’s 38 against Pakistan in 2022. Kuldeep’s magic ensured that India’s dominance in T20 cricket remained unchallenged, sealing their biggest-ever T20I win in terms of balls remaining.
Kuldeep’s Record-Breaking Spell
Stepping in as India’s spin spearhead, Kuldeep struck gold in the ninth over, a passage of play that will be remembered for years.
- Rahul Chopra (3) chipped one straight to vice-captain Shubman Gill.
- Skipper Muhammad Waseem (19 off 22) was trapped plumb in front.
- Harshit Kaushik (2 off 2) had his stumps shattered by a classic Kuldeep delivery.
Three wickets in an over turned the match into a procession. With those strikes, Kuldeep moved past Axar Patel and Ashwin’s tally of 72 wickets, becoming India’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 73 scalps in just 41 matches at a staggering average of 13.39.
Bumrah Joins the Record Party
It wasn’t just Kuldeep making headlines. Jasprit Bumrah, still adjusting back to T20I rhythm, reminded fans why he is regarded as one of the finest pacers. His toe-crushing yorker sent Alishan Sharafu’s off-stump cartwheeling in a breathtaking sight. With that wicket, Bumrah matched Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 90 T20I wickets, achieving the feat in 16 fewer matches.
India’s Chase: A Ruthless Finish
If UAE’s batting was brittle, India’s chase was ruthless. Abhishek Sharma lit up the start with a six and four off the first two balls, smashing 30 off just 15 deliveries before falling to Junaid Siddique.
From there, it was captain Suryakumar Yadav who applied the finishing touches. In just 4.3 overs, India wrapped up the chase with 93 balls to spare—a new world record for the biggest margin of victory (by balls remaining) in T20Is. This shattered their previous best of 81 balls against Scotland at the same venue in 2021.
A Historic Night for Indian Cricket
India’s 9-wicket triumph was more than just another win. It showcased their depth, hunger, and unrelenting dominance in the shortest format. Kuldeep’s rise as India’s frontline spinner, Bumrah’s return to form, and Suryakumar’s assured leadership painted a perfect picture for Indian fans ahead of the tougher challenges in the Asia Cup.
For UAE, the gulf in quality was evident, but for Kuldeep and India, it was a night to cherish—a night where records were rewritten, legends were surpassed, and dominance was reaffirmed.