Spirit of Cricket: Suryakumar Withdraws Appeal After Junaid Siddique Stumping in Asia Cup Opener
Suryakumar Yadav withdrew a stumping appeal against Junaid Siddique, showing rare sportsmanship in India’s win over UAE, though Siddique fell just two balls later.
Overview
Cricket fans were treated to one of the more unusual scenes yesterday during the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and the United Arab Emirates. UAE’s batter Junaid Siddique found himself in a sticky situation after being given out stumped—technically—only for India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav to withdraw the appeal before the decision could fully take effect. The sequence of events highlighted not only the tension of the game, but also the spirit in which it was played.
The Incident
In the 13th over, bowled by Shivam Dube, a towel fell from the bowler’s pocket before delivering the ball. Siddique, reacting to this distraction, moved forward in his crease pointing towards the towel.
He missed the delivery, and Sanju Samson at the wicketkeeper’s end collected the ball and dislodged the bails while Siddique was out of his crease. An appeal was made, and the third umpire adjudged him out.
But in a gracious move, SKY (Suryakumar Yadav) urged that the appeal be withdrawn—an act of sportsmanship. Siddique was allowed to continue, despite the earlier decision.
What Happened Next
Siddique’s reprieve was short-lived. Two balls later, he was dismissed—caught off Shivam Dube.
UAE’s batting collapsed, and the team was bundled out for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs.
For India, bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav (4 wickets for 7 runs) and Shivam Dube (3 wickets for 4 runs) spearheaded the demolition. The spinners too—Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy—added to the pressure, while Jasprit Bumrah opened strongly.
Significance & Reflections
The episode is likely to be remembered more for the sportsmanship than for the dismissal. Captain Suryakumar’s decision to withdraw the appeal was lauded by many observers as a rare display of fairness.
It underlines the importance of the “spirit of cricket” alongside competitive zeal. Even when in a dominant position, leadership and respect matter.
For Siddique, although the chance given didn’t result in a big knock, the moment will stand out—both for its controversy and for the gesture of magnanimity that saved him temporarily.
