Team India put up a commanding display on Sunday night in Dubai, cruising to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. The Men in Blue continued their strong run in the tournament, showcasing both discipline and aggression as they outplayed their opponents in all departments.
Gautam Gambhir’s emotional message after victory
Head coach Gautam Gambhir‘s reaction after the win stood out as a moment of pride and empathy. Speaking to broadcasters, Gambhir not only hailed his players’ clinical performance but also dedicated the win to the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
“Good win. There is still a lot of cricket left in this tournament. This match was important as we wanted to show solidarity with the victims and families and what they went through during that Pahalgam attack. More importantly, we want to thank the Indian Army for their successful Operation Sindoor. We will try to make our country proud and happy,” Gambhir said in a video shared by SonySportsNetwork.
His heartfelt words added greater significance to the victory, marking the first India-Pakistan clash since the April attack and the Indian Army’s successful operation.
Kuldeep Yadav shines with the ball
Pakistan, after opting to bat first, endured a shaky start at 6 for 2. A brief resistance from Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman revived their innings slightly, but India’s bowlers never allowed momentum to shift. Kuldeep Yadav stole the spotlight with a magical spell, picking up 3 wickets for just 18 runs. His consistent breakthroughs kept Pakistan under pressure, and despite Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo, they were restricted to 127 for 9.
India’s reply began with intent, thanks to Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 31 off just 13 deliveries. Though Pakistan struck a couple of quick blows, captain Suryakumar Yadav remained calm at the crease. His unbeaten 47, supported by Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube, ensured India reached the target with 25 balls to spare. Kuldeep’s effort earned him the Player of the Match award—his second consecutive recognition in the competition, following his standout performance against UAE.
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