Dubai: Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as SKY, defended the team’s decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players either before or after Sunday’s Asia Cup match in Dubai.
Addressing the post-match press conference, Yadav said: “I feel a few things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit.”
The Indian captain also tried to reach out to those who were against the match because of Pakistan’s involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 innocent lives.
“I have told it at the presentation as well. We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We stand with their families also and express our solidarity. As I said, we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor. As they continue to inspire us all, we will try our best to, whenever given the opportunity, inspire them as well if possible.”
Yadav top-scored with an unbeaten 47 off 37 balls as India chased down a modest 128-run target in just 15.5 overs, with seven wickets in hand.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was nowhere to be found during the presentation ceremony. The team’s head coach Mike Hesson said that this was due to the disappointment that he felt after being refused a handshake by the Indian side.
“We were ready to shake hands, disappointed opposition didn’t do that,” he said.
After the win, Yadav, who was at the crease with teammate Shivam Dubey, just walked back to the dressing room without the customary handshakes. Hesson and Agha apparently approached the Indian dressing room after that, only to find it deserted.
