Asia Cup: ‘Play arduous, play truthful’ – Ajinkya Rahane hails Suryakumar Yadav’s sportsmanship in ‘towel drama’ | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: India started their Asia Cup 2025 marketing campaign with a dominant 9-wicket victory over UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, but it surely was an act of sportsmanship from skipper Suryakumar Yadav that stole the highlight. Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane lauded Suryakumar for withdrawing a run-out enchantment in opposition to Junaid Siddique, calling it a call that mirrored character and spirit.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The incident occurred in the thirteenth over of UAE’s innings when Siddique stepped out of his crease whereas distracted by a towel falling from bowler Shivam Dube’s trousers. Sanju Samson capitalised with a direct hit, however Suryakumar selected to withdraw the enchantment, permitting Siddique to proceed.

“It was a great call by Team India and captain Surya because Junaid was not looking for a run. I guess he was not aware of where the crease was,” Rahane mentioned on his YouTube channel. “As a wicketkeeper or a fielder, when you get the ball in hand, your instinct is to aim at the stumps. But it was the right call made by Team India. They have shown great character and very good sportsman’s spirit. That’s what you want to see in cricket — you play hard, but you play fair.”

While the choice didn’t change the match end result — UAE folded for 57 and India chased the goal in simply 4.3 overs — Rahane burdened that such gestures carry an even bigger which means for the sport.The veteran batter additionally weighed in on workforce steadiness, notably the absence of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in the XI. India opted for Jasprit Bumrah because the frontline pacer, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube offering seam help.“Personally, I think this was a very well-balanced team,” Rahane mentioned. “The only player missing was Arshdeep Singh, and I would love to see him in the playing XI bowling with Bumrah. Against quality opposition, India will need a quality fast bowler. If Hardik bowls in the powerplay, you need someone to bowl alongside Bumrah at the death. I’m sure Arshdeep will get a chance somewhere down the line in this tournament.”