Dubai, Sept. 11 -- It was a night full of surprises in Dubai as India's cricket team defeated the UAE in a T20I, with both selection calls and on-field performances catching many off guard.

India's wrist spinners set the tone, bowling 25 balls between them, with nearly half turning as googlies. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick, dismissing Harshit Kaushik with a sharp delivery that slipped through the gate. It was Kuldeep's first T20I since the World Cup final, after being ignored during the entire England Test series. "In this format, length is the key. I was working hard on my bowling and fitness, and everything came together tonight," he said.

The team sheet too brought surprises. Jitesh Sharma, expected to keep wickets, was left out as San...