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.
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 Moments later, it was revealed that India had withdrawn the appeal, allowing Siddique to continue his innings.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.
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. They’ve been fast friends since the Under-14 level and might have been forgiven for wanting to take a bit of time savouring the feeling of opening together for India, but that was the last thing on the minds of Abhishek and Gill who were chasing a modest 57 runs.
They clattered 48 runs in just 3.4 overs before Abhishek fell, miscuing a hard-length ball from Siddique, and in that time they played a number of outrageous shots. The pick of them, perhaps, were a dancing flick for six by Gill off Mohammad Rohid, and a falling-away slap over long-off by Abhishek, off a short-of-length dart from the offspinner Kaushik.
India were ten away from victory when Abhishek fell, and Suryakumar Yadav – whipping his first ball off his hip for six – and Gill took just four balls to finish the job. Though Suryakumar Yadav won the match for India in company of Shubman Gill, Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar was surprized when Suryakumar Yadav from his usual position at No 4 elevated himself to No 3 in the batting order.
Sanjay Bangar expresses surprize over Suryakumar Yadav’s entry at No 3 vs UAE