India Captain Suryakumar Yadav Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ in ICC Over Comments on Pahalgam Attack During Asia Cup Clash with Pakistan

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has pleaded “not guilty” to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint regarding remarks he made during the post-match presentation following India’s group stage clash with Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025.

Suryakumar had dedicated India’s seven-wicket victory to the “bravery” of Indian armed forces and expressed solidarity with the families of the Pahalgam attack victims. The ICC verdict is expected on Friday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also raised concerns about on-field gestures by Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan and pacer Haris Rauf during the September 21 Super 4s clash. The matter has been referred to match referee Andy Pycroft, with hearings for the Pakistan players scheduled for Friday, following their match against Bangladesh.

Pycroft was previously involved in the controversy after Suryakumar skipped the customary handshake at the toss. During the Super 4s game, Farhan celebrated his fifty with a “gun gesture” using his bat, while Rauf was seen signalling to fans and had a verbal exchange with India vice-captain Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma.

A BCCI source told The Indian Express, “Surya informed the ICC hearing panel that he pleads not guilty and he has not made any statement that is against the rules. The verdict will come tomorrow.”

These matches marked the first India-Pakistan encounters since the Pahalgam terror attack in April. Following the incident, India launched Operation Sindoor against targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in May, resulting in three days of reciprocal strikes before a ceasefire was reached.

In both Asia Cup clashes, captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha refrained from the pre-match handshake.

“Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery,” Suryakumar had said after the match.