India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav made a bold statement after guiding his side to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 group-stage clash in Dubai. The contest, held on September 14, ended not just with India’s dominance on the field but also with a strong political message, as the Men in Blue refused the customary post-match handshake.

Defending the team’s decision, Suryakumar  Yadav dedicated the win to India’s armed forces and connected the gesture to the nation’s recent geopolitical climate.

“We took a team call. We had come only to play. We had given them a reply. Some things are beyond sportsmanship. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces who took part in ‘Operation Sindoor’ and stand with families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack,” he said at the post-match press conference.

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He further emphasised that the players were “aligned with our government and the BCCI” in taking the stand.

The match itself was played under immense scrutiny, with strong calls for a boycott in the aftermath of the April terror attack. Yet, a near-packed stadium—dominated by Indian fans—witnessed a clinical display of cricket from Suryakumar’s side.

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Pakistan, after winning the toss and opting to bat, struggled against India’s spin trio. Kuldeep Yadav (3/18), Axar Patel (2/18), and Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) kept the batters in check, restricting them to just 127/9 in 20 overs, a total well below par on Dubai’s surface.

In the chase, India lost two wickets early, but Suryakumar sealed the game in style with an unbeaten knock, finishing with a six. However, the absence of a handshake—both at the toss and after the final ball—left Pakistan stunned, adding another layer of intensity to the already fierce rivalry.