Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav may have put himself in the running for the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award following a magnificent display of sportsmanship during India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, September 10.
The event occurred in the 13th over of the first innings, when UAE hitter Junaid Siddique was stumped after stepping out of his crease in reaction to Shivam Dube’s sharp bouncer. Siddique was distracted and signalling something to the umpire, thus he failed to return to the crease when wicketkeeper Sanju Samson threw the ball at the stumps and appealed.
Replays indicated Siddique was out of his crease, and the decision was displayed on the big screen. Even as Siddique waited at the crease, Suryakumar held a discreet conversation with the umpire. Moments later, it was reported that India had dropped their appeal, allowing Siddique to finish his innings.
The gesture happened after India observed Siddique’s error, which occurred after Dube’s towel slid during his run-up, diverting the batter’s attention.
While India had every right to challenge the dismissal, Suryakumar chose the higher ground by returning the batter.
𝙎𝙋𝙄𝙍𝙄𝙏. 𝙊𝙁. 𝙏𝙃𝙀. 𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀 🏏
Captain SKY is all class 👏
Watch #DPWORLDASIACUP2025 – LIVE on #SonyLIV & #SonySportsNetwork TV Channels 📺#AsiaCup #INDvUAE pic.twitter.com/SjkL6iS4YM
— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) September 10, 2025
Ironically, Siddique failed to capitalise on his reprieve, losing later in the same over to another short delivery from Dube. From there, India’s bowlers dominated. UAE were bowled out for only 57 runs in 13.1 overs. Dube impressed with three wickets in a blazing two-over burst, while Kuldeep Yadav starred with four wickets, three of which came in a single over, including UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem (19 off 22).
India fans were also pleased to see Jasprit Bumrah, who was playing his first T20I since the World Cup the previous year, pick up a wicket on his comeback. In the end, India chased down the tiny score in 4.3 overs and won by nine wickets, with Kuldeep named Player of the Match. India’s next assignment will be against archrivals Pakistan, while the UAE will play Oman.
India
