Asia Cup 2025: Surya Kumar Yadav says Pakistan vs India rivalry no longer exists

Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadav downplayed talk of a cricketing rivalry with Pakistan, saying the record clearly shows India’s dominance in recent encounters.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Yadav pointed out that India has won the majority of its matches against Pakistan in recent years. “If two teams are playing 15–20 games and the scoreline is 7–7 or 8–7, that’s what you call a rivalry. But if it’s 10–1 or 13–0—I don’t know the exact numbers—then this can’t really be called a rivalry anymore,” he said, urging fans and journalists to stop raising the question repeatedly.

The Indian skipper admitted his side made mistakes in the field but stressed that more crucial matches lie ahead in the tournament.

In a lighthearted remark, he mocked the players who dropped catches, joking that “I think fielding coach has already emailed the boys to visit the office tomorrow and day after - all those guys who had butter fingers."

Discussing the match conditions, Yadav noted that the Dubai pitch has become easier to play on since September 14, which influenced the decision to field first.

He identified the turning point as coming after the 10th over, when Indian bowlers produced a decisive spell that dismantled Pakistan’s batting line-up.

In the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup T20, India defeated Pakistan by six wickets. Pakistan had set a target of 172, which India chased down in the 19th over, losing only four wickets.