Former India opener Aakash Chopra has sparked debate over Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to withdraw a run-out appeal against UAE’s Junaid Siddique during the Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out, Chopra argued that while the act highlighted sportsmanship, it was circumstantial and might set a risky precedent in the future.

“In my view, it was event-specific. If this was September 14, against Pakistan with the game hanging in the balance, SKY wouldn’t have done it. Against UAE, he chose generosity. That’s the difference,” Aakash Chopra remarked.

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The incident unfolded when Shivam Dube’s towel slipped mid-delivery, distracting Siddique. Instead of grounding himself, the batter pointed at the towel. Sanju Samson, alert as ever, seized the moment and hit the stumps with a sharp underarm throw. The replay showed Siddique short of his crease, but before the third umpire could signal him out, Suryakumar Yadav withdrew the appeal, citing the “spirit of cricket.”

Aakash Chopra appreciated Samson’s quick reflexes but insisted the dismissal should have stood. “If you’re outside the crease and run out, that’s it. Mixing generosity with the rulebook creates a grey area. It’s like walking—you can walk after nicking, but the one day you don’t, it shows where you stand.”

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While SKY’s gesture drew applause from the Dubai crowd and commentators, Chopra emphasised the danger of selective sportsmanship. Ironically, Siddique was dismissed on the very next ball, and the UAE were bowled out for just 57 in 13.1 overs.

India chased the target in a record 4.3 overs, winning by nine wickets. The debate now lingers: was SKY’s decision an example of admirable leadership, or did it blur the lines between fair play and the laws of the game?