News report – 11 September 2025, Dubai
India’s stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to cancel a successful appeal for a run-out against UAE batter Junaid Siddique on Wednesday night, a small act that has turned into a larger talking-point about how far generosity should stretch in elite sport.
The incident
Over 12.5 of the UAE chase. Shivam Dube banged one short, Siddique aimed a pull, missed, and momentarily wandered out of his crease. Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson gathered cleanly and flicked the ball into the stumps. The square-leg umpire sent it upstairs; third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge quickly flashed “OUT” on the big screen.
By that stage Siddique had already gestured towards a white towel that had slipped from Dube’s waistband – a possible distraction. Watching the replays, Suryakumar walked across to the standing umpire and quietly withdrew the appeal. Siddique stayed on 6 not out.
One ball later, the story felt redundant: Dube’s slower ball was miscued to mid-on, where Suryakumar completed the catch. UAE subsided to 57 all out; India romped home in 4.3 overs, their quickest chase in men’s T20Is.
Why withdraw?
“It’s event-specific in my opinion, it wouldn’t have happened if [Pakistan’s] Salman Agha was playing on 14th [of September] and the game is in the balance, and he’s just roaming around, he [Suryakumar] won’t do that,” Aakash Chopra said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out.
Chopra, the former India opener turned analyst, felt the match context mattered. India were utterly dominant; a moment of leniency cost nothing on the scoreboard.
“If he was [outside the crease], it should be out, in my opinion. But opinions may vary,” Chopra continued. “The problem is the moment you bring in ethics and generosity, it opens a can of worms: ‘oh, you did this today, why are you not doing the same thing tomorrow?’ Why go down that route?
“Will you do it? If that’s the case, it’s like walking. You nick it and you walk. But the day you do not walk, that’s the day that decides which side of the divide you are on and that’s when you look like a hypocrite.”
Samson’s view was not recorded on the night, though his glovework drew praise. The run-out attempt itself was razor-sharp, a reminder that the appeal lay within the Laws and that it was India, not the officials, who restored Siddique’s innings.
A brief look at the Laws
Law 38 states that a batter is out run-out if no part of the bat or body is grounded when the wicket is fairly put down. There is no reference to dropped towels or fielders’ accessories. The playing conditions also give fielding captains the right to withdraw an appeal before the next ball is delivered, which is exactly what transpired.
Reactions inside the ground
Spectators seemed confused at first – the “OUT” graphic had already appeared – then applauded once Siddique was recalled. UAE coach Mudassar Nazar offered a thumbs-up from the dug-out. Indian players, meanwhile, formed their usual huddle without fuss. The whole exchange lasted perhaps 45 seconds.
Bigger picture
Suryakumar’s gesture won’t change India’s campaign, but it has rekindled an evergreen conversation: how consistently should teams apply the so-called “spirit of cricket”? Retired umpire Simon Taufel often argues that clarity comes from following the Laws rather than personal morality. Chopra’s comments echoed that view, stressing the need for consistency.
What’s next
India face Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday, a fixture unlikely to allow similar goodwill. UAE’s tournament is effectively over after three defeats, though Siddique at least avoided the ignominy of a run-out for leaving his crease on 6.
For now, the final word sits with Chopra, delivered in his characteristically dry style: “If it is within the rules and the umpire has given it out, just stay out. That’s it.”
