Amid mounting criticism from the opposition parties and a section of the fans against India’s decision to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup cricket tournament, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said he dedicates the team’s thumping victory against the arch-rivals on Sunday to the armed forces.
Addressing a post-match press conference, Yadav said the team stands with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
"I think it's a perfect occasion and taking the time out, we stand by with the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack and we express our solidarity," he said.
"Also the most important thing for me, we want to dedicate today's win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery and hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground, whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile," he added.
India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in a lopsided match before a near full-capacity crowd in Dubai amid a raging boycott call. The men in blue chased down the under-par target of 128 with 25 balls to spare.
This was the first time the two teams had faced off after the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam carried out by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. The government and the BCCI were under mounting pressure to cancel the match, with the opposition accusing them of choosing ‘profit over blood’.
"We took a team call. We had come only to play. We had given them a reply,” Yadav told reporters.
Indian players sought to send a clear message against terrorism as they did not shake hands with their counterparts from Pakistan—neither at the toss nor at the end of the match.
The decision apparently prompted Pakistan skipper Salman Agha not to turn up for the presentation ceremony.
"We wanted to shake hands, but were disappointed that the opposition didn't do that. Disappointed with the way we played, but we wanted to shake hands," Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said.