India captain Suryakumar Yadav has found himself at the center of controversy after the International Cricket Council (ICC) acknowledged a complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding remarks he made after India’s Asia Cup group-stage win over Pakistan on September 14.
According to a report by Hindustan Times on Thursday, the ICC is reviewing the complaint and may initiate a formal hearing.
The controversy stems from an official complaint filed by the PCB with the ICC, after India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated his team’s September 14 victory over Pakistan to “the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.”
The April attack, which claimed at least 24 lives, triggered a brief military escalation between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi blaming Islamabad despite a lack of concrete evidence.
According to Hindustan Times, the ICC has confirmed it is reviewing the PCB’s complaint and may initiate a formal hearing. During the post-match presentation, Yadav stated that he wanted to “dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery.”
READ: India vs Pakistan Asia Cup controversy: Here’s everything you need to know
Earlier in the day, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan over their on-field celebration gestures in Asia Cup 2025.
The complaint, filed via email on Wednesday, relates to Farhan’s celebration after reaching his half-century and Rauf’s boundary-line gestures toward Indian fans during Sunday’s Asia Cup Super Fours clash.
If the players deny the allegations in writing, an ICC hearing may be scheduled, with match referee Richie Richardson and Andy Pycroft expected to oversee proceedings.
Both incidents quickly went viral on social media, with Indian fans criticize the gestures of players calling it “making fun of victims”, on the other hand, Sahibzada Farhan in a press conference clarified that his celebration was random.
According to Indian media reports, India’s controversial decision to avoid shaking hands with Pakistan players during their Asia Cup 2025 clash was reportedly planned in advance, with Gautam Gambhir and senior cricketers involved.
This action by the Indian captain further fuels cross-border tensions during the tournament.
The PCB described his comments as inappropriate, arguing that politics should remain separate from cricket.
Sunday’s Super Fours encounter also witnessed heated exchanges between Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Rauf, and Indian openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, adding to the charged atmosphere surrounding the high-profile rivalry.
The ICC is expected to review both complaints in the coming days. Officials stressed that disciplinary hearings, if required, would follow established codes of conduct and procedures.
