India’s emphatic seven-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 is remembered as much for the cricket as for the storm it stirred after the final ball. The Dubai crowd witnessed Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant spell of 3 for 28 strangled Pakistan’s batting and held them to a modest 127 for nine.
India’s chase began shakily with a couple of early wickets, but the middle order steadied the innings. Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47 from 37 deliveries, while Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 31 from just 13 balls and Tilak Varma’s calm 31 from 31 helped India chase the target with more than four overs to spare. Kuldeep’s craft with the ball earned him the Player of the Match award.
Yet, the most heated talking point came not off the scorecard but from what followed. At both the toss and the close, the Indian players, led by Suryakumar Yadav, declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. SKY later clarified during the presentation that this was a conscious act of solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. He dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces for their role in Operation Sindoor, remarking firmly that some matters stand above the spirit of sportsmanship.
In the days that followed, Yadav’s press interactions drew even more attention. His tone was consistently light, at times witty, yet he avoided mentioning Pakistan directly. After the India–Oman fixture, Sanjay Manjrekar asked if the team was prepared for the high-stakes clash. With a smile, Yadav simply said, “All set for Super 4.”
He continued to avoid naming Pakistan in the pre-match press conference. When a reporter probed him on the rivalry, suggesting it lacked the intensity of the 2000s, Yadav deflected. “At that time, I don’t know, I never played, so I can’t say. But if we talk about rivalry, I don’t know what rivalry you are talking about. When the stadium is full, I just tell my team it’s time for entertainment, because people have come to watch a match. So we have to entertain them and play some good brand of cricket.” His words shifted the focus away from political narratives and brought it back to cricket.
Even after the victory over Pakistan, Yadav refused to let the moment be framed as extraordinary. When asked if the win felt special, he downplayed it. “We have played three matches and we enjoyed winning all three, as we did in the previous match. I feel every game is a new challenge.”
Another question asked about the handshakes and whether the team would continue their stance in the next encounter. Yadav sidestepped with humour, replying, “By other things, you mean we bowled well, isn’t it?” The exchange drew laughter, but he gave no direct answer and deliberately left the matter unresolved.
When quizzed about the Oman match providing a calmer backdrop compared with the noise around the Pakistan clash, Yadav insisted the team’s attention had never shifted. “I think the focus was always on the game, in all three games we played. It never changed from that.”
He responded in a lighthearted way when asked about his message to fans ahead of the next meeting with Pakistan. Rather than fuel the rivalry, Yadav framed the occasion differently. “Our country has always supported us, I hope they continue to support us the same way. Also, it is Sunday, so more people will watch the game together. We will try to play with the same intensity.” His words cleverly kept the attention on cricket and supporters while avoiding the loaded subject of the opposition.
This series of exchanges painted a clear picture. On the field, India dominated with bat and ball, but off it, their captain carefully guided the conversation. Suryakumar Yadav’s approach combined wit, restraint and subtle deflection, ensuring his team’s cricket remained the headline while broader tensions loomed in the background.
