Asia Cup T20 2025 | Lalchand Rajput claims players nervous but ready to take on 'big team' India

United Arab Emirates (UAE) head coach Lalchand Rajput has high hopes for his team in the upcoming Asia Cup T20 and is looking forward to competing against the mighty Indian team in their first game, which will take place on September 10 at the Dubai International Stadium. The former Indian player has also discussed the chances of an upset against the Men in Blue.

Rajput, an icon in Indian cricket, has his name etched in the history books as he coached the team during the triumphant 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa. As the UAE will be facing India in their first game of the tournament, Rajput will be reunited with one of his former mentees from the T20 World Cup in Gautam Gambhir, who is also the current Indian head coach. Rajput expressed optimism over his team's chances, even though he acknowledged palying the reigning World Champions will induce some nerves in his players.

“India is a big team. They were the champions in the last World Cup. But it is a good opportunity to play against India. In T20s, the team that plays better on the given day will win. A single batter or bowler can win you the game. We will play fearless cricket,” Rajput said as quoted by ANI. 

“Our batting is strong, we have good spinners in our bowling unit. The players have experience of playing in the UAE. But we will see how they perform against a big team. Everybody wants to play against India. There will be nervousness, and I think our players are ready," he added.

This will be the second time UAE will be playing against India in the T20Is, with their only meeting so far dating back to the 2016 edition of the same tournament where the Men in Blue emerged comfortable winners by nine wickets.