Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav has delivered a statement that is bound to spark debates across the cricketing world. After India’s emphatic win over Pakistan in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025, SKY was clear in his assessment: this is no longer a rivalry.
India extended their dominance with a seventh consecutive win against Pakistan in men’s internationals since 2022, leaving fans on both sides of the border reflecting on the once-fierce contest.
“Stop calling it a rivalry”
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Suryakumar was asked if Pakistan had raised their game compared to their earlier loss. His reply was firm:
“I feel you should stop asking about rivalry. Standards and rivalry are the same. According to me, if two teams play 15-20 matches and it’s 7-7 or 8-7, then that is called a rivalry. But 13-0, 10-1… I don’t know the exact stats. This is not a rivalry anymore. We just played better cricket than them.”
It was a blunt statement, but one that mirrored India’s dominance over their arch-rivals in recent years.
Turning point in the game
At one stage, Pakistan looked threatening at 91/1 after 10 overs – their best start against India in T20Is. But the drinks break shifted momentum.
“The turning point was at the first drinks in the first innings,” Suryakumar explained. “The bowlers adjusted their lengths, the energy went up, and the spinners really turned the game around. Shivam Dube’s spell was the difference.”
Dube, often seen as a batting all-rounder, stepped up with the ball. Bowling his full quota of four overs – only the third time in his T20I career – he struck twice at crucial stages, removing Saim Ayub and half-centurion Sahibzada Farhan. His 2/33 turned the tide, especially with Jasprit Bumrah unusually expensive, conceding 45 runs without a wicket.
SKY praises Dube’s hard work
Suryakumar credited Dube’s training-ground efforts:
“He has been working really hard on his bowling in practice. He wanted to bowl at least two overs regularly, and today he got his chance. He had clear plans and executed them perfectly.”
India’s dominance continues
For Pakistan, the loss was another reminder of how far the contest has shifted. The last time they beat India was back in the 2022 Asia Cup at the same venue in Dubai. Since then, India have won seven straight, often with a commanding margin.
What once defined cricket’s fiercest rivalry is now beginning to look one-sided, at least in T20Is.
What’s next?
India now turn their attention to Bangladesh on Wednesday, looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the Super Four. Pakistan, meanwhile, will need more than just passion if they are to close the ever-widening gap.
