It was a night to remember in Mumbai as Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav returned home to a hero’s welcome after guiding India to their record-extending ninth Asia Cup triumph in Dubai. The Men in Blue sealed a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in the final, with Rinku Singh striking the winning boundary, and Surya leading from the front as skipper.
At the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, thousands of fans thronged the arrival gate, waving flags and chanting his name. Though supporters had hoped to see him return with the Asia Cup trophy, the controversial presentation ceremony—where India refused to accept the silverware from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi—meant the captain came home without it. Still, the crowd’s energy made sure the absence of the trophy hardly mattered.
From the airport, Surya was escorted to his residence in Deonar, where the celebrations continued. Former MP and Shiv Sena (Shinde camp) leader Rahul Ramesh Shewale, along with society members, draped him in a shawl, garlanded him, and presented him with the tricolour. Traditional rituals like an aarti were performed, with Surya later seeking blessings from Goddess Durga at Shewale’s residence before meeting fans for photographs.
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What has endeared Suryakumar even more to the public is not just his leadership but also his generosity off the field. Hours after the victory, the Indian captain announced that he would donate his entire match fees from the tournament to the Indian Armed Forces and the families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack.
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“I have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims. You always remain in my thoughts,” Suryakumar Yadav posted on X.
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Speaking to RevSportz, the skipper revealed how the decision struck him in a quiet moment. “I was having food in the dressing room, reflecting on everything that happened during the tournament. I thought—what more can I do about things in my control? That’s when I decided.”
From match-winning tactics to heartfelt gestures, Suryakumar Yadav continues to prove why he’s not just India’s captain on the field but also a leader who connects deeply with his people.
