BCCI complains about Harris, Farhan for alleged “provocative” gestures
- Indian captain accused of politicising cricket after win.
- Neutrality breach under ICC code examined.
- ICC considers disciplinary action over comments.
- BCCI complains about Harris, Farhan for alleged “provocative” gestures
Indias captain Suryakumar Yadav and opener Shubman Gill, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 10, 2025. — Reuters
India captain Suryakumar Yadav and opening batsman Shubman Gill, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 10, 2025. — Reuters
Indian captain accused of politicising cricket after victory.
Neutrality violation under ICC code examined.
ICC considers disciplinary action over remarks.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav has found himself in deep trouble after the International Cricket Council (ICC) ratified a complaint filed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and directed a review into his post-match remarks made following India’s Asia Cup group-stage victory over Pakistan on September 14, Indian media reported.
PCB’s letter to ICC
The ICC has stated that it is considering the PCB’s complaint, which alleges Suryakumar politicising cricket and violating the code of conduct regarding neutrality. A formal hearing could be scheduled, and Yadav offered the choice to accept the charge or go through proceedings in front of the ICC match referee, along with representatives of the BCCI and PCB.
Sources added that the PCB wrote a detailed letter to the ICC, calling for stern action to be taken against Suryakumar. The letter accused the Indian captain of having “brought the game into politics and tainted its image.”
ICC examines PCB complaint against India skipper Suryakumar Yadav
It argued that all provisions of the ICC’s code of conduct were applicable to the September 14 match and Yadav had intentionally quoted the Pahalgam incident and Operation Sindoor.
It was, as per the letter, Suryakumar’s behavior that was against the principles of the code of conduct and merited action. It brought back to mind the fact that the ICC had already deemed slogans like “Free Gaza” and “Freedom is Human Right” as violations of the code of conduct.
The PCB also threatened that unless action was taken, “the cricket field would become a political grounds,” and concluded that the Indian captain’s remarks were as much against Pakistan as possible, necessitating the strictest possible actions.
The review is in the background of an on-going controversy between the arch-rivals, following the group-stage encounter, which drew attention both on and off the ground.
The drama then started when the Indian captain went beyond all norms of sportsmanship by utilising his post-match presentation speech to introduce politics into cricket, an action termed by many analysts as “unprecedented” and “detrimental to the essence of the game”.
Adding to the tension was India’s refusal to share a customary handshake during the toss ceremony — an omission allegedly on orders by match referee Andy Pycroft.
Issues reached a point where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) even thought about withdrawing from the Asia Cup altogether. The issue was defused only after Pycroft owned up to mishandling parts of the scandal and apologized, PCB said.
BCCI files complaint against Haris and Farhan
Complementing the row, Indian media also reported that the BCCI has filed a complaint with the ICC against Pakistani cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan for purported provocative actions during the same tournament. Evidence in the form of videos has reportedly been filed before match referee Andy Pycroft.
The Indian board accused Haris Rauf of making jet crash gestures and signaling “six–zero” upon spectators’ chanting of “Kohli, Kohli”, and Sahibzada Farhan celebrating his half-century with a gunfire gesture. The BCCI stated that these acts were in defiance of the spirit of the game and asked for stern disciplinary action.
India defeated the September 14 group game against Pakistan by seven wickets in Dubai and later declined to shake hands with their rivals, infuriating Pakistan. It was their first encounter since a four-day armed standoff in May killed over 70 individuals.
In the wake of India’s triumph, Suryakumar dedicated the victory to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and conveyed support for the armed forces.
“Ideal moment, taking time out, we stand with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We are showing our solidarity. Want to dedicate the victory to all our defence forces who demonstrated so much courage,” he said in the presentation ceremony.
At the post-match news conference, Yadav further stated that the Indian team did not shake hands with Pakistani players on the behest of the BCCI and Indian government. “Our government and BCCI, we were on the same page today. We arrived here to simply play the match,” he stated.
The PCB stated these comments went too far, claiming Suryakumar used the match as a political soapbox.
With the ICC now accepting the PCB’s appeal, Suryakumar is likely to be punished if the hearing goes through. The final verdict should be out shortly.
