'You look like a hypocrite': Suryakumar Yadav and Team India slammed by former cricketer despite dominating Asia Cup win

India started their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in style with a huge win over UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, September 10. Kuldeep Yadav was the star of the show, taking four wickets for just seven runs as India bowled out UAE for only 57 in 13.1 overs. In reply, India chased the target quickly, winning the match by nine wickets.

India opener Abhishek Sharma played a quick-fire knock of 30 runs off 16 balls, while his close friend and vice-captain Shubman Gill finished the job with 20 not out. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav also remained unbeaten at seven as India cruised to the tiny target of 58 in just 4.3 overs.

SKY slammed for his generosity

However, one moment during the game sparked a debate. In the 13th over of the UAE’s innings, Junaid Siddique was stumped by Sanju Samson after carelessly walking out of his crease while distracted by bowler Shivam Dube’s face towel, which fell off during the run-up. India appealed and the umpire gave him out, but captain Suryakumar Yadav later withdrew it.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra criticised this act, even calling the act hypocritical. “It’s event specific in my opinion. It wouldn’t have happened if Salman Agha [Pakistan captain] was playing on 14 and the game is hanging in the balance and he is just roaming around. You won’t do that. That was a good throw and presence of mind from Sanju. He was out and should have been out in my opinion,” he said.

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The problem is that the moment you bring ethics and generosity, then it opens a can of worms. ‘Oh you did this today, why are you not doing the same thing tomorrow.’ Why go down that route? It’s like walking. You knick it and you walk because you know walk. The day you do not walk, is the day that decidses which side of the divide you are on. And you look like a hypocrite. If it is within the rules, the umpire has given out, just stay out," Chopra said on ESPN.

Akram, Arnold full of praise for Team India

On the other hand, former legends like Wasim Akram and Russell Arnold were full of praise for India. Akram, the former Pakistan pacer, said India showed unbelievable talent and stuck to their plan without taking UAE lightly. Arnold called it one of the most one-sided T20 matches ever, with India completing one of the fastest run chases in history.

“What a batting unit. What a win. They could have taken their time to have some batting practice going, but they said no, we are going to stick to our game, stick to our plan, doesn’t matter the opposition, we are going to play our game. Unbelievable talent, unbelievable performance by Team India,” Akram said on Sony Sports commentary.

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“You’ll struggle to find a much more one-sided T20 game than that. UAE simply blown away by India today. First of all with the ball, 57 all-out, the second lowest score in Asia Cup history. They were ruthless with the ball, they were ruthless with the bat. That’s one of the shortest run chases you’ll ever see. It’s taken 27 balls,” Russell Arnold said.

Jasprit Bumrah gave India the first breakthrough with a perfect yorker. UAE collapsed badly after that as Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep, and Axar Patel spun a web around the batters, while Shivam Dube grabbed three wickets with some smart bowling. India are slated to play Pakistan in their next match on September 14.