India’s veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane showered praise on Suryakumar Yadav’s sporting gesture in the team’s opening match of the Asia Cup against UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Wednesday. SKY decided to withdraw the appeal after Junaid Siddique was run out.

The UAE batter pointed out that Shivam Dube’s towel had fallen in his run-up but in the meantime, Sanju Samson was able to hit the stumps directly when Siddique was out of his crease while signalling the same to the umpire. The third umpire gave the decision in India’s favor but in the end, SKY decided to withdraw his appeal.

Ajinkya Rahane said on his YouTube Channel, “It was a great call by Team India and captain Surya because Junaid was not looking for run. I guess he was not aware about where the crease was. As a wicketkeeper, as a fielder, when you get a ball in hand, your intent or your instinct is to aim at the stumps.

“It was the right call made by Team India. They have shown great character and very good sportsman’s spirit. That’s what you want to see when you play a game of cricket. You play hard, but you play fair.”

Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh was surprisingly not included in India’s final XI for the UAE clash as the Men in Blue played with only one frontline pacer in Jasprit Bumrah but Rahane wants the left-arm seamer to make a comeback for the match against Pakistan.

“Personally, I think this was a very well-balanced team. The only player who was missing (from) what I had mentioned in my last video was Arshdeep Singh, and I would love to see him in the playing XI and bowling with Bumrah because when the Indian team plays with quality opposition, they are going to need a quality fast bowler.

“If Hardik Pandya bowls in the powerplay, you will need someone who can bowl with Jasprit Bumrah in the death overs. So, I’m sure somewhere down the line in this tournament, Arshdeep Singh will get a chance,” he added.

India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Sunday.