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"Wanted to play with dignity": Suryakumar Yadav reflects on India’s win over Pakistan

Rajgeeta Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav [Source: AFP]Suryakumar Yadav [Source: AFP]

India and Pakistan faced each other three times in the 2025 Asia Cup, which was surprising since there were six teams in the tournament. Their final clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday was highly anticipated and full of tension.

Throughout the tournament, the rivalry between the two sides kept intensifying. While India dominated on the field, most of the attention was focused on off-field controversies rather than the cricket itself. The tension began when India refused the traditional handshake with Pakistan players as a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

The situation escalated further when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accused match referee Andy Pycroft of stopping a handshake between India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman during a group match. PCB even threatened to withdraw from the series if Pycroft wasn’t replaced. However, the ICC rejected their demand, keeping the referee in place.

Suryakumar Yadav on handling Pakistan’s provocations

After the final, in an exclusive interview with NDTV, India captain Suryakumar Yadav spoke about handling the provocations from Pakistan’s team. He said:

"I think there has to be a difference between the two sides. We never made any gesture, no hand movements. We wanted to play the game with dignity. They wanted to make a statement outside. 

"The result can go in any team's favour. But when you come back, you should be happy with the effort you gave, the game you played. From outside, people think a lot happens, but I told the players, 'Let's keep the emotions aside and play a good game. Whatever comes at the end, we'll take it'."

Suryakumar also praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for supporting the team throughout the Asia Cup. He said, 

"It is such a big board, so many players, such a big country. BCCI stood ahead of us, gave us ample support. Hence, it's the players' duty to give it back to the board by playing good cricket, and win trophies."

Earlier in the tournament, Yadav was fined 30% of his match fee for his tribute to the Pahalgam attack victims during the group stage match against Pakistan on September 14. 

After India’s seven-wicket win, he dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces and the victims’ families. Pakistan filed an official complaint, and the ICC imposed the fine following a hearing. India has since appealed the decision.