India captain Suryakumar Yadav has been drawn into fresh controversy after the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed it is reviewing a complaint filed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding his remarks following India’s win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 group stage on September 14. Reports suggest that the ICC may initiate a formal hearing, putting the Indian skipper under scrutiny at a crucial phase of the tournament.
According to a report by Dainik Jagran, ICC match referee Richie Richardson sent an email to the Indian team management, acknowledging that he had received two official complaints from the PCB. These complaints referred to Suryakumar’s post-match presentation speech and his subsequent press conference comments, both of which, the PCB claims, crossed the line.
In his email, Richardson reportedly noted that, after reviewing the evidence and statements, Suryakumar’s remarks could be considered detrimental to the game’s image. The email stated that the Indian captain should face charges for making “inappropriate comments that bring the sport into disrepute.”
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The ICC has given Suryakumar Yadav the option to either accept the charge or face a formal hearing. Such a hearing would involve Richardson himself, along with representatives from both the BCCI and the PCB, as well as the player.
The controversy stems from Suryakumar’s dedication of India’s win on September 14 to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. During the presentation ceremony, he had said: “Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity… Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery.”
🚨 India vs Pakistan war is on off the field too:
– BCCI has filed an official complaint against Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their gestures towards India.
– ICC might take action against Suryakumar Yadav for his political statement on PCB’s demand.#AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/LtMlCJNfiS
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) September 25, 2025
Later in the press conference, he added that the Indian team had avoided post-match handshakes with Pakistan in line with BCCI and government directives. “Our government and BCCI, we were aligned today… We came here to just play the game,” he had remarked.
The PCB, however, viewed these statements as politicising the sport and violating the ICC’s code of conduct regarding neutrality. The complaint marks yet another flashpoint between the two boards, who have already traded charges during this Asia Cup.
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Just days earlier, India had officially protested against Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for their provocative on-field gestures. With the Asia Cup final approaching, the ICC’s decision could carry significant disciplinary consequences for India’s captain, adding further intrigue to an already heated tournament.
