Skipper Suryakumar Yadav on Sunday dedicated the Indian cricket team’s emphatic seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup to the country’s armed forces, stating that his side stands in solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Suryakumar made the remarks after his team secured their second consecutive win in the tournament, this time against their traditional rivals in their first cricketing encounter since the horrific attack and India’s subsequent ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting terror infrastructure across the border in May.
“I think it’s a perfect occasion and taking the time out, we stand by with the victims of the families of Pahalgam terror attack and we express our solidarity,” Suryakumar told the broadcaster after the match here.
“Also the most important thing for me: we want to dedicate today’s win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery, and 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,” he added.
The Indian team players did not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the match, as is customary at the conclusion of a game.
There was also no handshake between the two captains—Suryakumar and Pakistan’s Salman Agha—during the coin toss, as they handed their respective team sheets to match referee Andy Pycroft from Zimbabwe and spoke with broadcaster and former India player Ravi Shastri.
Agha did not attend the presentation ceremony, and their head coach, Mike Hesson, later told the media that the former’s absence was a “cause and effect after what happened” after the match.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar, who also turned 35 on Sunday, described the win as a “return gift” to the nation, noting that India comfortably dispatched Pakistan.
Chasing 128, India reached the target with seven wickets and 35 balls to spare. “I feel it’s a great feeling and it’s a perfect return gift to India,” said Suryakumar after a few fans sang for him before he spoke with the broadcaster.
When asked if it was something he had planned in advance, Suryakumar said, “No, it actually keeps running in your mind when you think about it because it’s a human tendency when you’re coming here playing a game like this. You definitely want to win it and when you win it, you always have something ready.”
Suryakumar added that he was delighted to have finished the game for India, hitting a six off Sufiyan Muqeem.
“This is one box which I always wanted to tick, (that to) stay there till the end and it was the need of the hour today and (I) loved to stay not out till the end,” he said.
When questioned about using spinners early, the India skipper explained that he is continuing the approach established by the team that won the Champions Trophy in the same venue in February.
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“That’s what happened a few months back, our team which won the Champions Trophy, they set the tone. I am always a fan of spinners because they control the game in the middle and post powerplay, I think all the spinners, they were amazing,” he said.
Kuldeep Yadav, who returned figures of 4-0-18-3 and was named Player of the Match, said he did not have specific plans for the Pakistan batters.
“You just have to think (as per) who’s batting on the crease and react to what they’re doing and what their strength is. I had my plans and I just executed them,” he said.Kuldeep noted that there is still much room for improvement in his bowling.
“I need to really work on my bowling. Sometimes I feel that I try too many variations, but I have to learn day by day and game by game. I think there’s a lot of room for improvement,” he said.
Also Read: India wins by 7 wickets against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025
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