“This was not a T20 match, it was like a T-5 match”: Suryakumar Yadav told that the win over the UAE is nothing

India had an easy outing against the UAE in Dubai. The defending champions won the contest by 9 wickets after dismissing the opponents for 57 runs. Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube dismissed 7 batters, and the chase of 58 runs was completed by Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth slammed the UAE and said that a win means nothing for India. He also questioned the talent of the UAE players and wondered whether it was right to allow the minnows to play in the Continental Cup.

“This was not a T20 match; it was like a T-5 match. The UAE batters were not interested in staying in the middle. Even a third division team won’t play like the UAE. What is the use of allowing teams like the UAE to play in the Asia Cup? The ardent fans of cricket will lose interest in the sport if non-Test playing nations continue to play in high-profile events,” he said.

“Kuldeep Yadav bowled well, but Shivam Dube was made to look like a deadly bowler. No discrediting Dube, but the UAE players gifted their wickets. This victory means nothing for India,” he added.

Srikkanth added that India are ahead of other teams in the tournament. India are favourites with only Pakistan and Sri Lanka capable of giving them a tough fight. Afghanistan are also a good team, but they have a poor record while chasing totals.

“India are ahead of everyone and beating rivals without any challenge. Shreyas Iyer will be a part of the team that will play in the 2026 T20 World Cup. They are dominating like the West Indies used to do in the late 1970s and early 1980s,” he concluded.