Last Updated on 8 months ago by Charbel Coorey
India began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign ruthlessly, dismantling the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, for just 57 in Dubai. Opting to bowl first in the group-stage clash, India’s attack was relentless, rolling the UAE for just 57 in 13.1 overs.
UAE had begun brightly through opener Alishan Sharafu, who struck 22 off 16 balls, but once he fell, the innings collapsed dramatically. None of the other batters could resist the pace and spin variations India unleashed, highlighting the gulf in quality on the day.
The 5 lowest scores against India in T20 Internationals
The previous record was New Zealand’s 66 all out at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, in 2023. With this, Ireland’s 70 all out in 2018 drops to third, while England’s 80 all out in 2012 slides further down the list. Here’s the updated list of the lowest innings totals ever recorded against India in men’s T20Is:
1. UAE – 57 all out, Dubai, 2025
India’s bowlers were merciless as they tore through the UAE’s line-up in just 13.1 overs during the Asia Cup group-stage clash. Alishan Sharafu’s 22 off 16 was the only resistance as wickets tumbled rapidly after his dismissal. Seven wickets fell for just 20 runs, highlighting India’s stranglehold.
2. New Zealand – 66 all out, Ahmedabad, 2023
At the Narendra Modi Stadium, India’s pace attack buried New Zealand in a bilateral series decider. The visitors folded inside 13 overs, with Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh leading the demolition. The 66-run total stood as the lowest against India until the UAE’s collapse two years later.
3. Ireland – 70 all out, Malahide, 2018
In Dublin, Ireland, they were outclassed by India’s pace-spin combination. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal shared seven wickets between them, leaving Ireland reeling. The hosts never recovered after losing early wickets and were bundled out inside 13 overs.
4. England – 80 all out, Colombo, 2012
One of England’s most forgettable T20I outings came during the 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Harbhajan Singh’s spin masterclass rattled their middle order, while Piyush Chawla added pressure. England were dismissed inside 15 overs, registering 80, then the lowest score against India at the time.
5. UAE – 81/9, Mirpur, 2016
Back in the 2016 Asia Cup at Mirpur, the UAE again found themselves struggling against India’s disciplined bowling. The innings never gathered momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Despite batting the full 20 overs, the UAE managed only 81/9 and India comfortably chased the target in 10.1 overs, sealing a nine-wicket win.
Such figures give a much-needed boost to the Indian team, which has stepped out for its first ICC tournament without two star veterans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. It will be interesting to see how the series unfolds under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill.
