India’s young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh found himself at the centre of attention after his fiery on-field gesture in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against Pakistan on September 21 in Dubai. The 25-year-old, who has been in and out of the playing XI this tournament, made a bold statement with his reaction following India’s emphatic win.
Many fans saw Arshdeep’s gesture as a direct response to Haris Rauf, who had earlier mocked the Indian camp with a provocative celebration during the game. The intensity didn’t stop there—Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan had also sparked debate after bringing out a controversial “gun celebration” upon reaching his half-century.
The drama began when Haris Rauf was teased by Indian fans in the stands with chants of “Kohli, Kohli,” a reference to Virat Kohli’s famous assault on him during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne. At first, Rauf brushed off the noise by tapping his ear, but later went a step further with a fighter-jet crash gesture that quickly went viral online.
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The antics didn’t sit well with many in the cricketing fraternity. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan criticised both Rauf and Farhan, questioning the need for such celebrations in an already high-voltage rivalry. “Haris Rauf, I thought he was a decent bloke when I met him in Australia. But the gestures he made yesterday were needless. It shows their mindset and upbringing,” Pathan remarked.
These heated gestures came against the backdrop of larger geopolitical tensions. Just days earlier, a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, claimed multiple lives, prompting India to launch Operation Sindoor targeting cross-border camps. The political strain inevitably spilt over into the cricketing contest, making every gesture and reaction magnified.
Arshdeep told Pakistani fans to shove their jets up their asses
Singh is King
😂😂😭😭 pic.twitter.com/bR0XVw0tC0— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) September 23, 2025
On the field, however, India showed remarkable composure and dominance. They extended their unbeaten run in the Asia Cup, crushing Pakistan with ease. Kuldeep Yadav’s three-wicket haul had sealed the first clash, while in the second, Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 off 39 balls and Shubman Gill’s quickfire 47 powered India to a commanding six-wicket victory.
Pakistan’s campaign now hangs by a thread. To reach the final, they must win their remaining fixtures, starting with a crucial must-win clash against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. India, meanwhile, remains firmly in control and will next meet Bangladesh in Dubai on Wednesday, aiming to continue their flawless march.
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For Arshdeep Singh, his fearless celebration may have made headlines, but for India, the bigger picture is clear—maintain focus, keep the streak alive, and push towards another Asia Cup triumph.
