In their opening Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025, India managed to demolish the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by nine wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, to start their campaign on a bright
note. After bowling out the UAE for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs despite an opening stand of 26 runs, the Indian top order needed just 4.3 overs to chase down the low total, to shoot up their Net Run Rate (NRR) to an extraordinary 10.483.
While India’s performance was excellent from start to finish, one of the main takeaways from the Asia Cup 2025 contest was the decision from Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav to withdraw an appeal despite the UAE batter being given out. In the 13th over of the innings, when the Indian cricket team was in complete control of the contest, Sanju Samson managed to under-arm a direct hit onto the stumps after a dot ball from Shivam Dube, catching batter Junaid Siddique off-guard.
At the same time, Siddique, who had missed a short ball from Dube, had seemingly pointed at the towel the bowler dropped while in his delivery stride. The appeal was made by the Indian players regarding Samson’s throw onto the stumps, which led to the third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge giving Siddique his marching out after determining him to out of the crease, but then, Yadav went up to the on-field umpire to withdraw the appeal.
It wouldn't have happened if [Pakistan's] Salman Agha was playing: Aakash Chopra
While Junaid Siddique lost his wicket on the very next ball to Shivam Dube as Suryakumar Yadav took the catch, the decision from the Indian captain sparked the debate around the "Spirit of the Game” and Aakash Chopra gave his comments on the matter to ESPNcricinfo. He was quoted as saying, “It's event-specific in my opinion, it wouldn't have happened if [Pakistan's] Salman Agha was playing on 14th [of September] and the game is in the balance, and he's just roaming around, he [Suryakumar] won't do that.”
It will be interesting to see if Suryakumar Yadav finds himself in a similar situation against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 and whether he will give the similar courtesy to their batter like the UAE one.
