Once spinners started operating, it changed: UAE coach reflects on match against India

Following India's dominant win in the Asia Cup opener on Wednesday, UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput heaped praise on high-quality Indian bowling attack. He said that his batters were “overawed” by the star-studded Indian bowling unit.

India bowled out UAE for only 57 runs in 13.1 overs, before chasing the target in just 4.3 overs. Rajput, who has earlier coached team India, said the UAE players were not used to facing such elite bowling and struggled to cope under pressure.

“They never play such kind of bowlers. They were overawed by big names,” Rajput, who was a support staff member of the T20 World Cup-winning Indian side, said after the match.


India decided to go spin-heavy in the match. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, playing his first match in Indian colours since the Champions Trophy, led the charge with four wickets for just seven runs. He was well supported by Shivam Dube, who took 3 for 4, while Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with a wicket each.

Rajput said that the turning point of the match was when the spinners were introduced after a quiet powerplay.

"World champions will crush teams. It was good till the powerplay, but once spinners started operating, it changed. There was not much turn but if it's Kuldeep and Varun, even top batters struggle against them,” he explained.

India’s bowling attack, particularly the depth in their spin department, left a strong impression on the UAE coach.

“If Arshdeep can’t make it to the playing eleven, it tells you about the team’s depth,” Rajput remarked.

Arshdeep, who is India's highest wicket-taker in T20Is, did not play as India decided to field two specialist spinners and three all-rounders.