"PM Modi batting on front foot"- Suryakumar Yadav reacts to Indian PM Narendra Modi’s 'Operation Sindoor' congratulatory post for Indian team

India, under Suryakumar Yadav, defeated Pakistan in Dubai by five wickets in Asia Cup 2025 final.

Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav described it as “special” to be congratulated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, after India’s victory over Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, September 28.

India opted to field after winning the toss. Pakistan made a strong start with Sahibzada Farhan’s 57 off 36 and his 84-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman (46). However, after reaching 113/1, Pakistan stumbled to 146 all out. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout, taking 4/30 with three wickets in a single over, while Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel picked up two apiece.

Chasing, India faltered early at 20/3 as Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shubman Gill fell cheaply. Sanju Samson (24) and Tilak Varma steadied the chase before Tilak forged a crucial 60-run partnership with Shivam Dube. Dube’s 33 off 22, capped by a towering six off Haris Rauf, swung momentum India’s way.

Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 69 from 53 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes. Rinku Singh sealed the win with the final boundary as India triumphed by five wickets to claim their ninth Asia Cup title.

The Prime Minister congratulated the team shortly after the victory, referencing India’s military response to the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

“#OperationSindoor on the games field. The outcome is the same—India wins! Congrats to our cricketers,” Modi posted on X.

Increased political overtones characterized India’s tournament route. Tensions increased with each of the team’s three matches against Pakistan.

India eschewed the usual gestures with the Pakistan contingent in a forceful declaration of support for the military forces conducting Operation Sindoor and solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attacks. Much of the attention was diverted from the cricket field by this action, which infuriated the opposition camp.

Suryakumar Yadav reacts to PM Narendra Modi’s congratulatory wish to the Indian team on the Asia Cup win

Following the final, the controversy grew when Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and a minister in Pakistan’s government, ran away with the trophy after India refused to take the trophy from him. The already politically tense interaction was further complicated by the symbolic snub.

Meanwhile, India captain Suryakumar Yadav stated that he liked that the Indian PM wished Team India well after they won Asia Cup 2025.

“Operation Sindoor on the games field. It feels good when the country’s leader himself bats on the front foot; it felt like he took the strike and scored runs. It was great to see, and when the sir is standing in front, then definitely the players will play freely,” Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav told ANI.

“The most important thing is that the whole country is celebrating. When we go back (to India), it will feel good, and we will get more inspiration and motivation to do well,” he added.

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