Suryakumar Yadav Faces ICC Review Over Post-Match Remarks Against Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: India’s Asia Cup victory over Pakistan on September 14 has sparked controversy beyond the cricket field, with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav now facing an ICC review over his post-match remarks. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal complaint accusing Yadav of politicising the game and violating the ICC’s neutrality code. The ICC has confirmed it is reviewing the complaint and may initiate a formal hearing.

According to reports, match referee Richie Richardson informed the Indian team management via email that the ICC had received two official reports from the PCB concerning Yadav’s comments during the presentation ceremony and the post-match press conference. After reviewing the evidence, Richardson concluded that Yadav’s remarks “potentially harmed the image of the sport” and recommended bringing a charge against him.

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The email reportedly stated, “The ICC has asked me to handle two reports lodged by the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding comments made by your captain, Suryakumar Yadav, during the presentation and post-match press conference after the India vs Pakistan match on September 14, 2025. After examining the full reports and reviewing the evidence, I have concluded that a charge should be brought against Suryakumar Yadav for conduct that brings the game into dispute by making inappropriate comments, which are detrimental to the interest of the game.”

Yadav now faces the choice of accepting the charge or proceeding to a formal hearing involving the ICC, PCB, BCCI, and the player himself.

During his on-field speech after India’s win, Yadav dedicated the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, expressing solidarity with their families and honoring India’s armed forces. At the post-match press conference, he stated that the Indian team had skipped handshakes with the Pakistani side, following instructions from the BCCI and the Indian government. “Our government and BCCI, we were aligned today… We came here to just play the game,” he said.

The PCB’s complaint argued that Yadav’s remarks politicized the sport and breached the ICC’s code of conduct, which emphasizes neutrality and prohibits players from introducing political issues into international cricket matches. This development further intensifies the already tense relations between the two cricket boards.

The ICC is expected to announce its decision soon. Should Yadav reject the charge, the case will move to a hearing, with potential disciplinary consequences ranging from fines to suspension for the Indian captain.