Indian team veteran Ajinkya Rahane has hailed Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his sportsmanship after he withdrew the appeal following a dismissal during Shivam Dube’s towel drop incident.
India might have won the match against the UAE in a commanding fashion, and Kuldeep Yadav won the player of the match award, but it was Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian skipper, who won hearts with his commendable gentlemanly spirit.
Suryakumar Yadav is undoubtedly one of those names in Indian cricket who are known for their composure and calmness. While the skipper leads in his first multi-nation tournament, he has kept his nerves and delivered more as a sportsman than he did with the bat or ball throughout his career.
The incident marked in the India vs UAE Asia Cup encounter
The incident, which has been talked about, happened in the 13th over of the game, when Shivam Dube was bowling to the UAE no. 10, Junaid Siddique. Siddique stepped out as Dube pulled back his length, and the batter missed it completely.
The wicket-keeper, Sanju Samson, immediately collected the ball and threw it at the stumps, and the batter looked visibly confused by what had just happened. The third umpire found no portion of the batter’s shoe within the popping crease and was hence ruled out.
However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav stepped in and withdrew their appeal, as he considered that the batter might have been visibly distracted by the towel that fell during Dube’s run-up.
Ajinkya Rahane lauds Suryakumar Yadav for his remarkable sportsmanship
The great show of sportsmanship from the Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav has drawn the attention of several great cricketers, including Ajinkya Rahane, his Mumbai teammate. He has come to praise India’s awareness in the field as well as their spirit of the game.
“It was a great call by Team India and captain Surya because Junaid was not looking for a run. I guess he was not aware of where the crease was,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.
“As a wicketkeeper or a fielder, when you get the ball in hand, your instinct is to aim at the stumps. But it was the right call made by Team India. They have shown great character and very good sportsman’s spirit. That’s what you want to see in cricket – you play hard, but you play fair.
Rahane finds no harm was caused to the Indian team’s balance for benching Arshdeep Singh
The great batter also weighed on the team balance and marked the notable absence of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI. India went into play with Jasprit Bumrah as the lead pacer, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube played the supporting role.
“Personally, I think this was a very well-balanced team,” Rahane said. “The only player missing was Arshdeep Singh, and I would love to see him in the playing XI, bowling with Bumrah,” Rahane said on his channel.
“Against quality opposition, India will need a quality fast bowler. If Hardik bowls in the powerplay, you need someone to bowl alongside Bumrah at the death. I’m sure Arshdeep will get a chance somewhere down the line in this tournament,” he added.