Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team got the better of Pakistan by six wickets in their Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. This also marked their second consecutive victory over their rivals in the tournament.
Chasing a target of 172, India’s win was set up by a blistering opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, who combined for 105 runs in under 10 overs. Despite a brief collapse that saw the openers and captain Suryakumar Yadav dismissed in quick succession, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya kept their calm and took India over the line with seven balls to spare.
Suryakumar Yadav delivers a stinging blow to Pakistan after India’s success
Following the victory, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav delivered strong remarks on the so-called rivalry between India and Pakistan. During the post-match press conference, a Pakistani journalist asked if the gap in standards between the two teams was widening.
Suryakumar replied, “I would like to say one thing on this question. I feel that you should stop asking this question about the rivalry.”
When the journalist clarified that the question was more about standards than rivalry, the Indian skipper doubled down with a smile. “Standards and rivalry are the same. According to me, if two teams play 15-20 matches and if [head-to-head] it is 7-7 or 8-7, then that is called a rivalry. But 13-0, 10-1….I don’t know what the stats are. But this is not a rivalry anymore. But yeah, I feel we played better cricket than them.”
His comments underlined India’s recent dominance over Pakistan. India have won seven consecutive men’s international matches since their last defeat in the 2022 Asia Cup. In T20Is, the head-to-head record is even more telling, with India holding a 12-3 lead. While Pakistan still enjoy a narrow edge in overall international matches (88-78), the last decade has largely belonged to India, shaping a new era in which younger fans only associate this fixture with Indian wins.
Suryakumar Yadav opens up on the turning point during Pakistan’s innings
When asked about the most decisive moment of the game, Suryakumar pointed to the first drinks break during Pakistan’s batting. At that stage, Pakistan were 91 for 1 after 10 overs, their highest halftime score against India in a T20I. The momentum appeared to be in their favour, but India’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback.
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“According to me, the turning point was in the first drinks in the first innings. People changed their body language after that. You always see the game changes generally after the powerplay. But today, the game changed after ten overs, when the bowlers changed their line and lengths, understood what was needed in that situation, and showed a little more energy,” Suryakumar explained.
India’s bowlers applied the brakes immediately after. Pakistan could manage only 38 runs in the next seven overs, losing key wickets along the way. The shift in energy and discipline in bowling helped India take control of the contest.
The Indian skipper credited Shivam Dube’s spell as the biggest difference-maker. Bowling his full quota of four overs for just the third time in his career, Dube returned with figures of 2/33, dismissing Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan at crucial junctures.
Suryakumar praised the all-rounder’s preparation and commitment. “He has been working really hard on his bowling in all the practice sessions…his preparations are always on point. And whenever he gets an opportunity like this, I think he will always be ready to deliver for the team,” he said.
Dube’s performance was even more vital given that India’s lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah endured an off day, conceding 45 runs without a wicket. The left-arm option provided the control India needed in the middle overs and ensured Pakistan’s flying start did not translate into a match-winning total.
