India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: Gautam Gambhir influenced Men in Blue to ignore the arch-rivals?
The clash between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup in Dubai was not just another showdown of cricket's fiercest rivalry. The fate of the India vs Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025 faced multiple hindrances and public ire before running its course on Sunday, September 14. Many stakeholders were involved in approving the contest. The Indian government gave the green signal for the encounter to go ahead at the multinational tournament. The BCCI complied with the Centre's decision as the Men in Blue geared up to face the arch-rivals in Dubai. However, despite the hierarchy of decision-making, some choices still lay in individual hands. Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, showcased their choice as they ignored Pakistan after the match.
Suryakumar Yadav and his men completely shunned arch-rivals in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash
Just nodding to the India vs Pakistan fixture at the Asia Cup 2025 was never meant to normalise relations between the arch-rivals. The Sunday clash marked the first instance of the Men in Blue facing their counterparts after the heinous Pahalgam terror attack. The attack in Kashmir took 26 innocent lives, followed by Operation Sindoor, during which more civilians and the Indian forces faced the brunt. As Suryakumar Yadav and his men came across the representatives of the enemy neighbours, the Men in Blue ensured that their every move reflected respect for the victims of the India-Pakistan conflict.
Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Salman Ali Agha at the toss, not even entertaining the Pakistan captain with so much as eye contact. As the match unfolded, there were no interactions between the players, with the Indian players solely focused on the game. Moreover, India's silence following the one-sided win against Pakistan was even louder. The Men in Blue thrashed Pakistan by 7 wickets in a no-contest group-stage clash.
Suryakumar Yadav hit the winning six as the India vs Pakistan match concluded in the 16th over of the chase. The Indian captain quickly joined Shivam Dube at the other end and paced back to the dressing room, ignoring the opponents on the field. The likes of Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana, Shubman Gill, and Arshdeep Singh, who witnessed the match reach its end from the dugout, returned to the dressing room instead of stepping onto the field for customary handshakes with the opponents.
The Pakistan team was seen waiting on the ground before the Indian dressing room shut its door right in their faces. The move left Salman Ali Agha rattled, and he then refused to come out for the post-match presentation. However, the winning captain, Suryakumar Yadav, came out and ensured that he mentioned the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in his post-match reaction. While boycotting the India vs Pakistan match could not have been influenced by SKY, the captain ensured that he respected the victims and martyrs in whatever way he could.
In the press conference, SKY explained the team's decision not to go with the customary handshakes. The captain was clear in his stance, stating that some incidents lay beyond the boundaries of 'sportsmanship'. Playing the Asia Cup 2025 clash was a duty for the team. Entertaining the opponents and acting like there was no bad blood was not. SKY and his men ensured that the boundary remained crystal clear.
"I think our government and the BCCI were perfectly aligned. We came here and took a call. We came here just to play the game, and we gave a proper reply," Surya said. "I feel a few things in life are ahead of a sportsman's spirit also. And I have already answered it. I have told it at the presentation as well - that we actually stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. And we stand with their families also, express our solidarity," he added.
Gautam Gambhir directed his players to skip the customary obligations in the India vs Pakistan showdown: Report
Now, as the Pakistani fraternity continues doing what it does best, cry foul, a new report has indicated the involvement of Gautam Gambhir in India's act. Reportedly, the Indian team, perturbed by the chants of 'boycott' on the internet, voiced its concerns to the head coach. The coach, in turn, advised his players to tune out the chatter and focus on the game instead. As for Pakistan, it was Gambhir who backed the team in ignoring the opponents and not engaging in any kind of interaction, be it customary or on-field.
“Cut down on social media, stop reading the noise. Your job is to play for India. Don't forget what happened in Pahalgam. Don't shake hands, don't engage, just go out, show your best, and win for India,” Gambhir had reportedly said to his team.
Moreover, the report further mentions that Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav were at the helm of the decision to shut the doors in Pakistan's face after the match's conclusion. The message from the Men in Blue is clear. There will be no compromise on completing the assigned duty, as shown on the field by their thumping 7-wicket win. However, when it comes to customs and sportsmanship, Pakistan does not make the cut to earn India's respect anymore.
