In a heartfelt gesture following India's dominant seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the Indian Armed Forces and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The match, played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, took place amidst heightened tensions and boycott calls in India after the Pahalgam attack and India's "Operation Sindoor," which targeted terror sites in Pakistan.
Yadav's statement came during the post-match presentation, where he affirmed the team's support for those affected by the tragic events. "Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims of the families of Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity," he stated. He further emphasized the team's desire to honor the armed forces, saying, "We want to dedicate today's win to all our Armed Forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile".
The match itself was a resounding victory for India, who chased down a target of 128 with ease. Kuldeep Yadav's impressive bowling performance earned him the Player of the Match award. Suryakumar Yadav himself played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 47 off 37 balls to guide his team to victory. Abhishek Sharma also contributed a quickfire 31, giving India a flying start.
Notably, the customary post-match handshake between the Indian and Pakistani players did not occur. Suryakumar Yadav explained that this decision was made consciously, in alignment with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the government. "We took a call as we came here to only play. We gave a proper reply. We are aligned with BCCI and government," he said.
India's win against Pakistan solidified their position at the top of Group A in the Asia Cup 2025. The victory was particularly significant as it was the first encounter between the two sides since the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. The team's performance and Suryakumar Yadav's dedication served as a powerful message of support and solidarity during a sensitive time. Coach Gautam Gambhir echoed Suryakumar's sentiments, reiterating the team's solidarity with the Pahalgam victims' families and expressing gratitude to the armed forces for Operation Sindoor.
