Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes Suryakumar Yadav would not have withdrawn the appeal had the incident taken place against Pakistan. Chopra argued that the decision was “event-specific” and suggested SKY would have acted differently in a high-pressure game against a stronger opponent.

Suryakumar Yadav Withdrawal of Appeal Sparks Debate

Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to withdraw the appeal against the UAE in the Group A Asia Cup 2025 match continues to generate polarising reactions. The incident occurred after Shivam Dube’s towel fell while he was running into bowl, distracting batter Junaid Siddique. The UAE tailender backed away as Dube delivered the ball, and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson threw the ball onto the stumps. The on-field umpires referred it to the third umpire, who found Siddique short of his crease.

Although OUT flashed on the big screen, Suryakumar withdrew the appeal, offering Siddique a reprieve. Former India batter Aakash Chopra reacted strongly, calling the move “event-specific” and suggesting SKY wouldn’t have done the same against a team like Pakistan.

Siddique, however, failed to capitalize and was dismissed for a duck by Dube. UAE were bowled out for 57 in 13.1 overs, and India chased the target with nine wickets in hand and 93 balls remaining.

Chopra argued that once the umpire had declared Siddique out, there was no need for Suryakumar to intervene. He warned that bringing “ethics and generosity” into such decisions creates inconsistencies: “The day you don’t do it, that’s when you look like a hypocrite.”

India hammer the UAE

The UAE registered the lowest-ever T20I score against India after being bundled out for just 57 runs. In reply, India cruised to their biggest T20I victory by balls remaining, wrapping up the chase with 93 deliveries to spare.

This also marked the second-biggest win by balls remaining for a full-member ICC nation in T20Is. Abhishek Sharma (30), Shubman Gill (20*), and Suryakumar Yadav (7*) made light work of the chase, completing it in just 4.3 overs.

With this dominant win, India now gear up for a high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, September 14, in the Men’s Asia Cup 2025.