The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025 went ahead on Sunday despite weeks of heated debates, boycott calls, and political noise. India not only played but also cruised to a 7-wicket victory in Dubai, with captain Suryakumar Yadav finally addressing the controversy surrounding the game.
“For the whole team, we think it’s just another game,” Suryakumar said after sealing the chase with a six. “We prepare the same for all oppositions. That’s what happened a few months back as well. The team that won the Champions Trophy set the tone, and we just wanted to carry that forward. On the field, it’s about focusing on cricket, nothing else.”
His comments mark the first direct response from an Indian captain to the ongoing calls for a boycott of Pakistan games. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had faced widespread scrutiny in the lead-up to the tournament, with questions raised over whether India would play the fixture at all.
Instead, India fielded a full-strength side and delivered clinically — bowling Pakistan out for 127/9 before chasing the target in just 15.5 overs. Suryakumar, leading from the front, anchored the chase and underlined that the dressing room had insulated itself from outside noise.
In a poignant moment, the skipper also dedicated the win to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying: “We stand by the families of the victims and our armed forces who showed immense bravery.”
By combining cricketing focus with a subtle but clear response to critics, Suryakumar Yadav ensured India’s message was loud: the team will let their game do the talking.
