Indian team player Suryakumar Yadav could find himself in the running to win the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award after a remarkable show of sportsmanship at the Asia Cup 2025 opener between India and the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, September 10.
In the first innings, the UAE batsman Junaid Siddique was stumped in the twelfth ball of the 13 th over after stepping out of his crease in response to a stinging bouncer by Shivam Dube. When wicketkeeper Sanju Samson fired at the stumps in quick succession and appealed, Siddique was taken out of his stride and making gestures to the umpire, he did not get back to the crease.
Siddique was out of his crease, as replays verified, and the decision was shown on the large screen. However, Suryakumar Yadav had a private conversation with the umpire while Siddique remained at the crease. It was announced shortly after that India had dropped the appeal, enabling Siddique to finish his innings.
Spirit of Cricket in Action: India Recall Siddique Before Rout of UAE
India made the gesture after realizing that Siddique had made a mistake when Dube’s towel slipped during his run-up, drawing the batter’s attention away from him. Suryakumar opted for the higher ground by recalling the batter, even though India had every right to demand the dismissal.
Siddique, ironically, was unable to capitalize on his reprieve and fell later in the same over to another brief throw from Dube. India’s bowlers took over from there. In 13.1 overs, the UAE was bowled out for a mere 57 runs. While Kuldeep Yadav was the star with four wickets, including three in a single over, including the valuable scalp of UAE captain Muhammad Waseem (19 off 22), Dube made an impression with three wickets in a scorching two-over performance.
Jasprit Bumrah also made India supporters happy when he got a wicket on his resumption, his first T20I since the world cup the previous year. India ended up winning the Asia Cup 2025 game by nine wickets after it pursued the very small target of four point three overs, and Kuldeep was declared the Player of the Match. UAE will play Oman and the next match of India is against their arch enemy, Pakistan.
