Suryakumar Yadav may just have done enough to put himself in contention for the International Cricket Council’s Spirit of Cricket award. The India captain Suryakumar Yadav displayed exemplary sportsmanship when he withdrew an appeal against a UAE batter during their Asia Cup 2025 opener in Dubai on Wednesday, 10 September.
But what won everyone’s heart was the ‘gentleman’ decision of captain Suryakumar Yadav, who made cricket not just a sport, but a ritual. Something happened in the 13th over, which shocked everyone. The most talked-about moment of the match came when UAE No. 10 batsman Junaid Siddique was on strike off Shivam Dube in the 13th over.
A debate sparked after India skipper Suryakumar Yadav decided to withdraw stumping appeal against UAE batsman Junaid Siddique during the Men In Blue’s Asia Cup opener. The third umpire dismissed Siddique after he was found standing outside the crease but it appeared he was possibly interacting with the bowler Shivam Dube, who dropped the towel tucked in his trousers during his run-up. Suryakumar Yadav withdrew an appeal against UAE batter despite third umpire ruling him out during India’s Asia Cup opener.
The Towel Incident and the Run Out SAGA
The incident occurred in the 13th over of the UAE innings when Junaid Siddique was stumped after absent-mindedly stepping out of his crease in response to a sharp bouncer from all-rounder Shivam Dube. Siddique, distracted, was signalling something to the umpire when he wandered forward. Spotting the lapse, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson swiftly dislodged the stumps and appealed for a dismissal.
The third umpire was brought into play, and replays confirmed Siddique had not returned to the crease when the bails were broken. The decision flashed as OUT on the big screen, but Siddique remained at the crease, watching as Suryakumar Yadav held a quiet discussion with the on-field umpire at the non-striker’s end. Moments later, it was revealed that India had withdrawn the appeal, allowing Siddique to continue his innings.
India opted against pursuing the dismissal after noticing that Siddique’s lapse came when Shivam Dube’s towel slipped from his waistband during his run-up. Television cameras captured the moment, showing Siddique’s attention diverted as he alerted the umpire. Although India were well within their rights to uphold the appeal, Suryakumar Yadav chose the higher ground by withdrawing it.
As soon as he stepped out of the crease, the ball was pulled back a bit and Siddique missed. Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson caught the ball and aimed straight at the stumps. The third umpire found in the replay that Siddique’s foot was not within the crease, and he was given out. But then something happened that was won not by runs, but by hearts. Captain Suryakumar Yadav demanded the umpire withdraw the appeal.
Because a towel had fallen during the run-up of bowler Shivam Dube, which could have distracted Siddique. It may seem like a small thing, but it sets a huge precedent on the cricket field. OUT flashed on the giant screen but the batter remained firm in the middle, leading to a brief moment of confusion.
It was then clarified that Suryakumar Yadav had withdrawn the appeal. The batter, however, couldn’t do much and was dismissed two balls later and got out for a three-ball duck.Ironically, Siddique could not capitalise on his reprieve, as Dube dismissed him later in the same over with another short-pitched delivery with a catch to Suryakumar Yadav.
Discarded Team India batter Ajinkya Rahane lauds Suryakumar Yadav’s sporting gesture against UAE and supports him in the decision to withdraw the appeal.
Ajinkya Rahane praises Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to withdraw an appeal vs UAE in Asia Cup 2025
Should he have or should he have not? Suryakumar Yadav’s generosity hasn’t met with universal acclaim after the India T20I captain withdrew an appeal against Junaid Siddique despite the third umpire ruling the UAE batter out in an Asia Cup match earlier this week.
The incident happened during the 13th over of UAE innings when Siddique missed a pull shot off Shivam Dube and forgot to get back into the crease as wicketkeeper Sanju Samson spotted it and hit the stumps with an underarm throw. The square leg umpire referred the decision to his TV counterpart who adjudged it as out.
Meanwhile, Siddique had already signalled he was distracted after Dube dropped a towel while bowling. Suryakumar had a brief chat with the on-field umpire and upon watching the replay on the giant screen, withdrew the appeal. Siddique though was out in the same over for a three-ball duck. India batter Ajinkya Rahane has lauded Indian team skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his sportsman’s spirit.
“It was a great call by Team India and captain Surya because Junaid was not looking for a run. I guess he was not aware of where the crease was,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.
“As a wicketkeeper or a fielder, when you get the ball in hand, your instinct is to aim at the stumps. But it was the right call made by Team India. They have shown great character and very good sportsman’s spirit. That’s what you want to see in cricket – you play hard, but you play fair.”
Meanwhile, the UAE were bowled out for 57 runs after being invited to bat first. Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube were the star bowlers for India claiming 4 and 3 wickets respectively. In reply on the back of Abhishek Sharma’s thunderous 30 off 16 balls India chased a paltry target in just 4.3 overs to secure a thumping win by 9 wickets over UAE.