India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav has been found guilty by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating the code of conduct following politically charged remarks made in the post-match presentation after a group-stage win against Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, as per media reports.
According to media reports, the ICC disciplinary panel, led by match referee Richie Richardson, dismissed Suryakumar’s not-guilty plea and reportedly slapped with demerit points and 30 percent match fee.
Soon after the verdict, espncricinfo reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) filed an appeal against the decision.
On the other side, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan also faced disciplinary proceedings on Friday over incidents during the Super Four clash between the two sides on September 21.
Farhan drew attention for celebrating his half-century with a “gun” gesture, while Rauf was seen making gestures with his hand near the boundary.
Both Pakistani players have denied the charges, arguing their actions were spontaneous and not intended as political statements.
However, an official ruling from the ICC regarding Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan is still pending; meanwhile, penalties are also looming on both Pakistani players.
READ: India vs Pakistan Asia Cup controversy: Here’s everything you need to know
The PCB had earlier submitted a formal complaint to the ICC regarding Suryakumar’s post-match statements on September 14, alleging they breached regulations prohibiting political messaging in cricket.
In its complaint, the PCB quoted Suryakumar dedicating India’s victory to the country’s armed forces, specifically those involved in a recent military operation against Pakistan.
The PCB called for the ICC to impose a Level 4 charge – the most serious level of offense in the Code of Conduct – against the Indian captain.
The board further pointed out past instances where players were penalized or restricted from making political statements, such as when Usman Khawaja was barred from wearing shoes featuring the phrase “Freedom is a human right” in reference to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
It remains unclear when or if the appeal by the Indian board will be heard, especially as India’s schedule includes a final Super Four match against Sri Lanka, followed by the Asia Cup final against Pakistan on Sunday.
Media reports suggest that if the BCCI appeal fails, Suryakumar could face a heightened sanction by the ICC.
