Dubai (Sept 1, 2025): The Asia Cup 2025 kicked off in Dubai with a press conference featuring all team captains. What was supposed to be a routine media event quickly turned into a talking point. Two moments stood out: Suryakumar Yadav’s bold reply to a journalist and a controversial handshake with Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi.
Suryakumar’s Confident Reply
When asked if India were the clear favourites after their T20 World Cup win, Suryakumar responded with a smile and a sharp counter-question:
“Who said that?”
His reply surprised the room. He continued:
“I have never heard of that. If a team prepares well, confidence comes naturally. Yes, we are playing together after a long time, but we arrived here 3–4 days ago. We’ve trained hard and spent quality time as a team. We are looking forward to this series.”
His calm yet confident tone won applause and showed that India’s captain is ready for pressure.
Pakistan Captain’s Realistic Take
The same question went to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. His answer reflected the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket.
“In T20 cricket, no team is a favourite. A couple of overs can change everything. You just need to play good cricket on the day.”
Salman also spoke about Pakistan’s recent tri-series win over the UAE and Afghanistan. He stressed it was only preparation, saying:
“That series helped us, but winning the Asia Cup is the real goal.”
The Handshake Controversy
While the press conference created excitement, another incident sparked controversy. Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and interior minister of Pakistan, attended the event. Naqvi had previously made strong anti-India statements regarding Operation Sindoor, leading many fans to demand his boycott.
Despite this, Suryakumar Yadav shook hands with Naqvi during the event. The gesture, though seen as polite, triggered an uproar online. Many fans criticised the captain, asking why he respected someone who openly opposed India.
On social media, hashtags calling for a boycott of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup matches began trending. Some fans accused Suryakumar of making a “huge mistake.”
From boycott to handshake ,India captain SKY meet Mohsin naqvi pic.twitter.com/dZ0BhSEh8K
— Huzaifa khan (@HuzaifaKhan021) September 9, 2025
Political Tensions in the Background
The Asia Cup 2025 already had controversy before it began. India and Pakistan were drawn in the same group, raising security and political concerns. The Indian government allowed the team to participate in Dubai but banned bilateral cricket exchanges. Pakistani players cannot tour India, and Indian players cannot travel to Pakistan.
This political backdrop made Suryakumar’s handshake with Naqvi even more sensitive.
What’s Next?
Despite the off-field drama, cricket takes centre stage from today until September 28. India enters as defending champions with eight Asia Cup titles, while Pakistan looks to break India’s dominance. With both rivals in the same group, the stage is set for high-voltage encounters.
But one question lingers among fans: Will the controversy affect India’s focus on the field?