Now UAE Coach, Lalchand Rajput Aims To Upset Ex-Teammate Gautam Gambhir’s India | Cricket News

Last Updated:September 08, 2025, 16:20 IST

Former India cricketer and Lalchand Rajput is now the head coach of UAE, aiming to upset his ex-teammate Gautam Gambhir’s Men in Blue in the Asia Cup opener.

Lalchand Rajput. (AFP Photo)

UAE cricket coach Lalchand Rajput is excited to reconnect with his former pupil and current India head coach Gautam Gambhir as they aim to stage an upset in their Asia Cup opener against a formidable Indian side with numerous “match-winners.”

India and UAE, both placed in Group A, will face off on Wednesday at the Dubai International Stadium. On paper, the match seems one-sided due to the difference in stature between the teams. India enters the fixture having played a five-match Test series in England, with limited T20I action.

Meanwhile, UAE recently participated in a T20I Tri-Series against Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although they lost all their matches, the team gained valuable experience before the Asia Cup. Rajput, a former India Test batter, recognizes the challenge ahead.

Rajput emphasized that in the short format, individual performances could determine the outcome. He subtly hinted at the possibility of an upset and shared with ANI, “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.”

Participating in the tournament for the first time since 2016, UAE boasts considerable talent, including captain Muhammad Waseem and power-hitter Asif Khan. Rajput is pleased with their batting depth and believes their “good” spinners could pose some challenges for India.

Despite some “nervousness” in the camp, Rajput is confident his side will be prepared, but the key will be in how they execute their game plan.

“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.

When discussing the strength of the Indian team, Rajput found it difficult to identify a single match-winner, considering the entire team falls into that category. “The entire Indian team is strong. Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Gill has returned, Abhishek and Tilak have scored centuries. The players they have are match-winners. It is hard to name one player.”

For Rajput, the match holds additional significance as he will be up against his former prodigy Gambhir. He is eagerly anticipating meeting the Indian coach after several years and concluded, “He was the highest run-scorer in the 2007 T20 World Cup. I will meet him after many years. So there will be conversation, and I am definitely looking forward to meeting him.”

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