Suryakumar Yadav receives ICC warning; India vs Pakistan tensions high

The Asia Cup 2025 has seen its fair share of on-field drama spill over into politics, with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav now under the ICC’s scrutiny. Suryakumar Yadav was given a strict warning by the ICC ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan on September 28 in Dubai.

On September 25, Suryakumar was summoned for an official hearing by the ICC match referee Richie Richardson after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint over his post-match comments during the Asia Cup 2025 group clash between India and Pakistan on September 14.

Suryakumar Yadav told to avoid political statements ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 Final

The hearing focused on comments made by Suryakumar Yadav in which he expressed support for Indian Army personnel involved in Operation Sindoor and showed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year after beating Pakistan in the group match by seven wickets.

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During the session, the ICC made it clear that Suryakumar Yadav must avoid making statements that could be interpreted as political in nature.

However, Suryakumar pleaded not guilty in the hearing, but if he does the same, it would be a Level 1 violation, and he could be fined 15% of match fees.

Suryakumar Yadav pleaded not guilty to the ICC

A tournament source was quoted as saying by PTI: “Surya attended the ICC hearing today. He was accompanied by BCCI’s COO and Cricket Operations Manager. Richardson explained to him that he shouldn’t be making any comments that could be seen as political in nature.”

He further added, “The sanction can't be ascertained. Since it falls under Level 1, it could either be a warning or a financial penalty of 15% deductions in match fees. Surya had pleaded not guilty, and that's why the hearing took place.”

Read Also: After controversial ‘6-0’ vs India, Haris Rauf heats up Asia Cup 2025 Final with another gesture

Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan to face ICC hearing over controversial gestures

Meanwhile, the spotlight is also on Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf and batter Sahibzada Farhan, who are set to face their own ICC hearing on September 26 following a complaint from the BCCI. Rauf and Sahibzada came under fire for provocative gestures during Pakistan’s Super Four match against India.

Sahibzada celebrated his fifty against India with a gun-firing-in-the-air gesture, while Rauf mocked the Indian fans with a “6-0” and Rafale crashing gesture, which is linked to Pakistan’s unverified claim of destroying six Indian crafts during Operation Sindoor.

Rauf made these gestures after Indian fans targeted him with Virat Kohli chants, referring to the India batter’s smashing in the 2022 T20 World Cup at the MCG. Well, it is being said that BCCI filed the complaint against Rauf and Sahibzada on Wednesday (September 24) with the ICC.

India-Pakistan tensions soar ahead of Asia Cup 2025 Final

On the other hand, the PCB had registered the complaint to the ICC within the seven-day window following the heated India-Pakistan encounter, in which Suryakumar Yadav had refused a handshake with Pakistani players and dedicated India’s victory to the Indian armed forces.

Now, with the BCCI lodging a separate official complaint against Rauf and Farhan over their controversial gestures, the tensions between the two cricket boards have further escalated just days before the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai.

Read Also: Pakistan submit defensive statement on Haris Rauf, Sahibzada Farhan's provocation vs India