As he emphasised in the post-match presentation ceremony, India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated India’s seven-wicket win “to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor.” In an emotional tone, he reflected on the decision to not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha: “I feel few things, few things in life are ahead of sportsmen’s spirit also.” He then paused and explained: “I have already answered it. I have told it at the presentation as well that we actually stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. And we stand with their families also, expressing our solidarity. Also, as I said at PC, that we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor. And as they continue to inspire us all, we will try our best whenever given an opportunity to inspire them as well, if possible,” he said.
This was the second time he was asked about the handshake in the press conference. On the first instance, he revealed the genesis of the decision. “I think the BCCI and our government were aligned. We came here, we took a call and we came here just to play the game. And we gave them the proper reply.”
The next probing came much later. The media manager intervened, but Surya told him not to and patiently explained. A related question was posed on whether sport should stay clear of politics. He said, saying that he has told his teammates to cut off at least 75 percent of social media usage: “Not just India-Pakistan. So I feel this is a good rivalry. And I don’t know what you are saying about politics. Because I am completely off social media. I have deleted everything from my phone. So whatever it is, others watch it and the voice gets cut there.” He then said people follow the other rivalries in the game too. “People like to watch games between England and Australia, or Australia versus South Africa.”
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, right celebrates with batting partner Shivam Dube after their win in the Asia Cup cricket match against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo)
Between these questions, though, he was his usual merry self, dropping cheeky lines. Sample. “Happy Birthday, Surya!” Suryakumar: “Where is the cake, sir?” It left the floor in splits. Between, he waxed eloquent on Jasprit Bumrah, the spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel and India’s shape-shifting middle order. “Didn’t spinners give you the perfect birthday gift?” In characteristic humour, he said:” I let the spinners bowl 12 overs and it was a return gift for me.” “Spinners have been working hard, you can see it in their practice, they want to prepare really well. Watching them on the ground, you can see how well they are prepared. And they are very clear with their plans and it makes my job easier. They are happy with the fields, they are happy with the ends which they are bowling from. And it’s good to see all the three spinners firing and very well supported by Hardik and Bumrah,” he added.
Even bowling Bumrah for three straight overs was not an in-the-moment decision, but well thought out. “Till today, he’s never bowled three overs in the power play. So, we just wanted to try how things go ahead,” he pointed out. “And we’re very happy we’re using him as an attacking option. If he picks two wickets or even if he bowls a tight spell of three overs, then later on, we have good cushion for all the spinners to come over and make our job a little easier. So, we want to use him as an attacking option. And he is very happy with it. For a few days or some days, if he has bowled only two overs, he’ll bowl only two overs. But at least me and the support and the management, we want to use him as an attacking option. And that gives a good platform for someone like Hardik and Shivam Dubey also to raise their hand to bowl crucial overs in the end and also in the middle.”
He praised Axar’s smarts, his efforts in improving his bowling against left-handed batsmen, a match-up he is determined to win. “Whenever I see him at practice, he bowls a lot to the left-handers because that’s a proper match-up. You feel if a left-hander is walking in, you can’t bowl a left-arm spinner. But he practices more to the left-handed batters. And when he bowls to the right-handers, he has his own plans,” he said.
He explained the logic behind a flexible batting line-up. “Everyone should know how to bat well everywhere. Prepare accordingly. And basically, in T20 cricket, I feel that if you are playing with 7 batsmen, then it is important to impact everyone. So, I want everyone to go and impact their positions. And everyone has accepted it well. And according to me, everyone is flexible. And if you are flexible to bat at any number in the team, then I think it becomes a dangerous team. It’s coming.”
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India coach Gautam Gambhir too echoed his skipper’s words and said the team stands in solidarity with the families of the victims of the terror attack, thanking the Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor.
“The match was important for us because as a team we wanted to show our solidarity to the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. For everything they have gone through. More importantly, we want to thank our armed forces for their successful Operation Sindoor, and I’m sure we will try and make our country proud and happy,” Gambhir said to the Sony Sports Network.
