Laila Faisal, who is rumoured to be dating cricketer Abhishek Sharma, was recently seen at his sister Komal Sharma’s pre-wedding celebrations. She shared a few pictures from the event on Instagram, which once again got fans talking about her relationship with the young Indian batter.

Laila is a fashion entrepreneur from Delhi and the founder of Roohi Faisal Designs. She studied psychology at King’s College, London, and after returning to India, she did some modelling for various brands. She now has over 65,000 followers on Instagram. Abhishek, who skipped his sister’s wedding on October 3 to play for India A against Australia A, hasn’t confirmed anything about their relationship yet, but fans are eager for news.

Who is Laila Faisal? 👉 https://t.co/vU2dtTj8aj

The rumored girlfriend of cricketer Abhishek Sharma is making headlines!
From fashion entrepreneur to cricket controversies, here’s what you need to know #LailaFaisal #AbhishekSharma #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/C1PybAMex6

— Entertales (@Entertales) September 26, 2025

ALSO READ: 'Rohit Sharma taught...'- RCB Coach Pays Tribute After Captaincy Snub

On the field, Abhishek has been in great form. In the recent Asia Cup, he scored 314 runs in seven innings at an average of 44.86 with a strike rate of 200, becoming the top scorer in a single T20 Asia Cup edition. His strong batting helped India win the Asia Cup for the ninth time and second in T20s.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, stayed unbeaten in the tournament and beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final in Dubai. Looking ahead, Abhishek is likely to be part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, where the team will play three ODIs in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney.

In the Asia Cup 2025, India once again achieved a victory over Pakistan, defeating their rivals in the Super Four match on Sunday in Dubai by six wickets. This victory marked India's second win over Pakistan in eight days and reflected the difference in the two teams in the past few years.

Abhishek, Gill at the Opener

The highlight of India's run chase was opener Abhishek Sharma, who scored a 39-ball 74, which featured six fours and five sixes. Abhishek and his opening partner Shubman Gill (47 off 28) had a 105-run opening stand, India's first century partnership of this Asia Cup, which facilitated India's run chase of 172.

Pakistan showed some fight with wickets taken in the middle overs, but the opening stand they set was enough to see India home victorious. It was left to Tilak Varma (30* off 19) and Hardik Pandya (7* off 7) to finish the game off – India won by six wickets, with seven balls spare.

Suryakumar’s Unfiltered View on Rivalry

However, the post-match headlines were not only about India's victory, but also about captain Suryakumar Yadav's frank statements. When asked about the India–Pakistan rivalry, he dismissed it entirely.

“You guys should stop asking about this rivalry. If two teams play 15–20 matches and it’s 7–7 or 8–7, then you call it a rivalry. But if it’s 10–1 or 13–0, I don’t know the exact stat, this is not a rivalry anymore. I feel we played better cricket than them, both with the bat and the ball,” Yadav said.

The captain's comments came in light of Pakistan's one-sided record against India in recent years. In T20Is, for example, India's record is now 12-3. In fact, India has won seven completed matches in a row against Pakistan in all formats, including a 228-run drubbing in the 2023 Asia Cup and a nail-biting victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

ALSO SEE: 'That's why went after them...'- Abhishek Sharma explains why he chose to be aggressive during IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match

Fielding, Bowling, and Key Moments 

India did exhibit some fielding fumbles, having dropped multiple catches early in Pakistan's innings. Suryakumar added some humor: “I think the fielding coach has already emailed players whose hands had some butter on them. But it’s good this happened early on because we have more crucial games ahead. Floodlights can’t be an excuse.”

Pakistan's 171/5 had a foundation of 58 from Sahibzada Farhan, but India's bowlers had a grip on the game through the middle overs. Shivam Dube (2/33) was the highlight of the Indian bowling effort with a full four-over spell that accounted for both Farhan and Saim Ayub - a spell that Suryakumar commented was "the turning point of the match." Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav were economical, while Jasprit Bumrah had an outlier with an expense spell.

Praise for the Openers

Abhishek Sharma's opening performance earned some special words from his captain: "He is a very selfless player. He assesses situations beautifully, and he is improving every day. The dynamic between he and Shubman is beautiful - they are ice and fire."

India in Charge

The win solidified India's standing during the Super Four phase and confirmed their favorites' status in the tournament. More importantly, it illustrated the balance within the squad - they had power-hitting at the top, stability in the middle, and breakthroughs with the ball.

For Pakistan, the defeat was yet another reminder of the increasing lopsidedness of a fixture once regarded as world cricket's greatest rivalry. And if the words of Suryakumar Yadav are anything to go by, that rivalry may now belong more to the past than to the present.

On the eve of India’s opening Super 4 fixture against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, their T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, looked in a light mood as he attended the press conference with a smile on his face. The battle will not remain inside the ground for this clash after the PCB’s long-drawn drama around the handshake controversy from last week.

A video has gone viral on many social media platforms, showing the Indian team being seen outside the ICC academy, possibly returning to the hotel after finishing their practice session. That was the time when one of the kids from the stand requested Surya to come and give him an autograph.

See Also: 'Switch off your phone...'- Suryakumar Yadav reveals plan to avoid outside noise ahead of IND vs PAK Super 4 clash

Surya didn’t turn up early but later appeared when the left-arm pacer of the side, Arshdeep Singh, called him. He wished the kid all the best before giving a special message of ‘'Jai Hindi Jai Maharashtra' ahead of their upcoming game against Pakistan in Dubai on September 24 for the Super 4 stage.

Watch: Suryakumar Yadav shares special message ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025

The Indian captain has been in fine form during this Asia Cup as he played a sensational knock against Pakistan in the last encounter and expects to continue the same trend in Super 4. However, he is well aware of the outside noise and tries to avoid it in every case.

 

 

 

 

 

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“See, it's easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult because you meet a lot of friends, you go out for dinner, and you have a lot of players also around who like to see all these things. So it's very difficult, but then it's on you, what you want to listen to, what you want to have in your mind.” Suryakumar Yadav expressed in the presser.

Pakistan didn’t attend the pre-match press conference on the eve of the clash for the second successive time after they did the same against the UAE team last week. It just shows the unprofessionalism from a national side.

Captain of Oman, Jatinder Singh, expressed his thanks after India’s star batter, Suryakumar Yadav, connected with the Oman team to provide encouragement and insight. Describing the interaction, Jatinder stated how much it meant to the players, who admired what Suryakumar has achieved but also valued the practical knowledge he could provide about modern T20 cricket. According to him, Suryakumar emphasized not just the technical aspects but also the mindset required to be successful in the shortest format of the game. The young Omani cricketers were engaged and asked questions. They left the interaction with a much clearer understanding of how professionals benefit from facing challenges and learning from them at the international cricket level.

Jatinder noted Suryakumar made it easygoing, but there were lots of good ideas in the conversation. He spoke about reading the game, reading the situation, and maintaining calm under pressure. He also reminded the players that T20 cricket encourages players to use their creative thinking and is not just about taking your power-hitting to the extreme. The Omani squad, made up of both fledgling and seasoned cricketers, found the viewpoint refreshing and encouraging. For a developing cricket country like Oman, this exposure to a global star is inspirational as well as very practical. Jatinder mentioned that many players took to the same message and felt much more confident walking away, with excitement to try and put it into practice in the next matches.

The meeting also highlighted Suryakumar Yadav's humbleness and inclination to share experience beyond his national team. He is said to have commended Oman’s fighting spirit, as well as their recent efforts on the international stage. According to Jatinder, the gestures of encouragement lifted his team’s spirits by reinforcing that their hard work was recognized by world-class cricketers, adding that it was a unique opportunity to learn that could have a lasting influence on Oman’s cricketing society. For the captain, it was infinitely more than a question-and-answer session but rather a reminder of the global brotherhood in cricket to help emerging teams strive to rise to new heights.

Oman Captain Jatinder Singh said - "I am so thankful that Suryakumar Yadav came and had a chat with the boys. He was just talking about the game, the faces, and how you have to play the T20s. Thd boys were just asking questions, having their Q & A with him, so that they have… pic.twitter.com/58B7K9Zl84

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) September 20, 2025

Also read: ‘Let the Asia Cup go to hell….’- PCB insider reveals discussions during Pakistan’s Asia Cup pullout threat

Inspiration Beyond the Game

Apart from the aesthetic tips, Suryakumar’s positive energy and genuine demeanor also left a lasting impact. The players admired not only his batting performance but also the discipline, fitness, and mental discipline that are required to stay as consistent as possible at the highest level. Jatinder mentions several budding players in the team, saying they felt compelled to work harder in preparation to improve, both on and off the field. They were invigorated by hearing Suryakumar’s journey of overcoming challenges prior to becoming one of India’s most patriotic T20 cricket performers.

Jatinder Singh determined that such experiences foster confidence for the future and inspire Oman’s cricketers to dare to dream bigger and want to achieve bigger on the world stage. Furthermore, he added that engaging with international stars provides a sense of belonging, which makes Oman feel part of the greater cricketing family. The captain hopes with bolstered belief and guidance, his team can keep developing and eventually leave a stronger mark on the world stage of cricket.

India’s group stage encounter against Oman in the 2025 Asia Cup was expected to focus on rotation and giving opportunities, as Suryakumar Yadav’s side had already secured a spot in the Super 4 stage. Yet, the team management and the skipper surprised everyone with a bold move: Suryakumar decided to bat at No.11, letting others gain valuable time at the crease.

Following this strategy, Sanju Samson, who hadn’t faced a single delivery in the tournament so far, came in at No.3, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya was promoted to No.4. The surprises continued as Suryakumar skipped his usual middle-order position, allowing Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Tilak Varma to bat ahead of him, giving them critical match practice.

Even as India lost their recognised batters, Suryakumar remained at the end, letting the tailenders face the pressure. He was the only player who did not bat, as India concluded their innings at 188-8, highlighting the skipper’s selfless approach to nurturing the team.

See Also: ‘Let the Asia Cup go to hell….’- PCB insider reveals discussions during Pakistan’s Asia Cup pullout threat

Expert Opinions on Suryakumar Yadav’s Decision to Bat at No.11 Against Oman:

With that in mind, here are the top five expert opinions on Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to bat at No.11 during India’s Asia Cup 2025 clash against Oman. Analysts praised the skipper’s selfless approach, highlighting how the move provided valuable game time for other players while showcasing his team-first mindset.

• Sunil Gavaskar

The iconic Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar praised Suryakumar Yadav for his “innovative” approach, especially his decision to let lower-order batters play ahead of him in the death overs. The expert noted that giving these players crucial match exposure could benefit the team in upcoming games and strengthen India’s depth in high-pressure situations.

He said, “ If he had batted for even one over, he could have hit a few fours and sixes and that would have been good for him. But the way he batted against Pakistan, may be does not need batting practice. He may have thought that Kuldeep Yadav's batting could come in handy if India lose quick wickets in one of the matches. Perhaps that's why he may have sent Kuldeep in to bat.”

He further said, “ He is very unorthodox thinker. We saw in Sri Lanka that he himself bowled and also gave Rinku Singh the ball. He turned the game, which seemed to have slipped away, on its head and won India the match. He is an innovative thinker. May be that's why he did not bat and sent in Kuldeep and Arshdeep Singh.”

• Rohan Gavaskar

A former Indian cricketer criticised Suryakumar Yadav’s move, calling it unnecessary. He suggested that a bench player could have used the opportunity instead, and argued that the skipper, along with Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy, could have rested, rather than holding back while others batted, making the decision less impactful.

He said, “ What doesn’t register with me is, if Suryakumar Yadav isn’t going to bat clearly because he’s sent Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep all ahead of him, then he might as well take a rest. Give Rinku a go. You’re not going to bat, you’re not going to contribute with the ball.”

He further said, “ If that’s the whole thought process, then let Rinku have a game because it’s clear that you don’t want to bat. If you’re coming behind Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep, then take a rest, take a break, and that’s absolutely fine.”

• Wasim Jaffer

The ex-India batter suggested that if Suryakumar Yadav planned not to bat, a bench player should have been given the chance instead, similar to Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. This approach would have allowed the team to gain valuable game time while keeping the skipper rested, ensuring everyone had an opportunity to contribute.

He said, “ We also thought that if Surya wasn’t going to bat then he should have given an opportunity to either Jitesh or maybe Rinku Singh. But yeah, I mean, when these kinds of games come, the intensity drops and that is completely fine as long as you get a win. I mean if you lose a game like this, then obviously, it’s a shocking thing but they got the win, they’ll be happy. More than happy with that.”

•  Irfan Pathan

The former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan appreciated Suryakumar Yadav’s strategy of promoting Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya, who needed more time at the crease. However, he questioned the skipper’s decision to bat last, wondering why Yadav stepped in only after all other recognised batters had been dismissed, as it seemed unnecessary in that situation.

He asked, “ From one perspective, giving other batters opportunity and game time is absolutely right, but to not bat even after Kuldeep Yadav?”

• K Srikkanth

The former World Cup champion pointed out that India managed to score a strong total even without Suryakumar Yadav contributing with the bat. Despite a mid-innings collapse after building a solid foundation, timely contributions from other players helped the team post a competitive score, underlining their depth and resilience in the batting lineup.

He said, “ Suryakumar Yadav didn't even bat, Tilak Varma came down the order and with seemingly no one scoring much, we made 188 easily. They would have scored 225 or 250 otherwise. India has at least 16 players that can play in the 11. Even someone like Shreyas Iyer isn't able to breakthrough.”

Team India's no-handshake act initiated a widespread debate across social media platforms. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly threatened to boycott the Asia Cup 2025. In a recent social media post, Pakistan cricketer Aamir Jamal targets Team India T20I captain Surya Kumar Yadav for snubbing the ceremonial handshake during the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match. Surya Kumar Yadav, after the match, explained why they decided not to shake hands with their archrival team. He said that they went into the ground just to play the match and made a statement. India won the game with utter dominance. He mentioned BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the government of India as well. 

"Our government and BCCI were aligned together. The rest, we came here, we took a call. I feel we came here just to play the game. I think we gave them a proper reply. Few things in life are ahead of the sportsman spirit. We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, and we stand with their families. As I said, we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor, Yadav said. 

Highlighting the remarks made by Yadav, Jamal claimed that India always lacks sportsmanship. Well, when it comes to sportsmanship, #India will always lack of these things.

Read More: IND vs PAK: Pakistan to boycott Asia Cup 2025? No handshake drama takes new turn

Current Pakistan cricket targets Team India skipper Surya Kumar Yadav 

"Just watched the #sky presser after the match where he quoted that government and BCCI were on the same page to give a proper reply. That's not a reply; it's a game of cricket.and if you really wanted to give a reply You had a chance when 6-0 happened. "Feeling pity for those who are still proving that they are Indian," Jamal said in his social media post. 

Well when it come to sportsmanship #india will always lack of these things
Just watched #sky presser after the match where he quoted that government @BCCI were on the same page to give a proper reply
Thats not a reply its game of cricket.
and if you really wanted to give a…

— Aamir Jamal (@iaamirjamal) September 15, 2025

Pakistan, batting first, in 20 overs managed to set a paltry target of 128. Men in Blue chased it down in just 15.5 overs. Before the match, there were calls to boycott the match. But Surya Kumar Yadav and his boys went to play the game and ended up as the winner of the evening. Yadav was the man who hit the decisive runs of the high-voltage match. 

The six were enough to make a statement against Pakistan. India, undoubtedly the dominating force of the evening when they meet against their archrivals Pakistan. Shivam Dube hit a massive six against Pakistan star Saim Ayub on the last ball of the 15th over.

After that, Team India needed only 5 runs to win the match. India's T20I captain Surya Kumar Yadav finished the game in style with a maximum. During the last delivery of the 15th over, Ayub went fuller and around the middle of the stump. Dube, using his leg properly, positioned himself well enough to fund the distance for an over boundary. India won the match with 7 wickets in hand and 25 balls to spare.

Yadav, who came to bat as a number three batter, remained unbeaten for 47 off 37 and took the Men in Blue to the finish line. During the innings, he smacked 5 boundaries and one over boundary. Dube, who was his batting partner during the closing moments of the game, faced 7 balls and registered 10 runs with an over boundary. The partnership between Tilak Varma and Yadav ruled in the middle overs of the second innings by adding 56 runs off 52 balls.

Read More: [WATCH] IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek Sharma smashes Shaheen Shah Afridi for huge six

Dube with the 6 against Saim Ayub, made statement 

In the next wicket, Yadav and Dube got 34 runs against 21 deliveries together to conceal the contest. Kuldeep was named Man of the Match for taking 3 wickets in the first innings. During his 4-over spell, he took back-to-back 2 wickets as well. At an economy rate of only 4.50, the experienced spinner claimed the wickets of Sahibzada Farhan (40), Hassan Nawaz (5), and Mohammad Nawaz (0).

After smashing the winning hit, Yadav and Dube headed straight back to the pavilion without shaking hands with the Pakistan cricket team. 

A pure power hitter ; Shivam Dube#INDvsPAK #ShivamDube #SuryakumarYadav #kuldeepYadavpic.twitter.com/ZU0krtaKIN

— Ashu Kharwar (@AshuKharwa66211) September 14, 2025

After all debates regarding the India vs Pakistan Asia 2025 match because of the Pehalgam terror attack incident followed by Operation Sindoor, at Dubai International Stadium, two arch rivals faced off with each other. Both India and Pakistan are considered the favorites to win the tournament; India, regarding their recent performances, has an advantage over Pakistan on paper. In Dubai, India and Pakistan have met three times in Dubai, in T20Is, with Pakistan winning twice, including that memorable ten-wicket victory at the 2021 T20 World Cup, and during the 2022 Asia Cup Super 4s. Needless to say, above all stats, the rivalry can go beyond imaginations on the field. 

Toss Update:

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and decided to bat first. It is a no-brainer to understand why he chose to bat first. The surface of the Dubai International Stadium tends to be a little bit slow during the second wicket, with some possibilities of spin. Batters can face difficulties playing ambitious shots. India, with a spin-heavy lineup, will be trying to shackle the run rate of Pakistani batters. It'll be an interesting contest to watch. 

After winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said, "The team has been playing good cricket, and the atmosphere is exciting. The surface looks like a slow wicket, so the plan is to bat first and put runs on the board. The team has been here in Dubai for around 20 days and is well used to the conditions."

Read More: Star England player ruled out of Ireland series as board names replacement

"We are looking to bowl first. The preparations are good, and we are looking forward to this game. It was a nice wicket overall and better to bat under the lights. The climate is a bit humid, and we hope that the dew factor will come into play later." India captain Surya Kumar Yadav mentioned. 

Playing XIs:

India—Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistan—Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (C), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Abrar Ahmed.

On this day (September 14, 1990), Surya Kumar Yadav, who is now the captain of India's T20I team, was born. For his incredible set of shots, he can hit the ball anywhere around the park with precision. Yadav received recognition during his domestic cricket days, when he was an emerging batter from Mumbai.

In his Ranji Trophy debut, the middle-order batter scored 73 for Mumbai in 2010. In the next season, he was in full swing, scoring 754 from nine games, powered by a double-century against Odisha in his third match of the season, followed by a century. Yadav made his India debut on March 14, 2021, playing in a T20I match against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He marked his international debut with a blistering half century.

Before receiving the India call-up, the 360-degree-shot-making batter started to get noticed for his heroism in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After a 4-season stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, Surya rejoined Mumbai Indians, where he took his game to the next level.

Read More: Ahead of SL vs BAN Asia Cup 2025 match Bangladesh star reveals they botched plans against Hong Kong

Mr. Dependable for Mumbai Indians as well 

Since 2018, the right-handed batter has been playing for the Mumbai Indians, cementing his place in the middle order as a dependable batter. The 2025 IPL proved to be his best IPL season ever, as he scored 717 runs in 16 matches at an amazing average of 65.18. In IPL 2023, he got 605 runs, including a 103-run knock in 16 games. 

In ODIs he has played 37 matches and scored 773 runs with a highest score of an unbeaten 72. During this time, his batting average remains at 25.77 with 4 half centuries. In T20Is, he has featured in 83 matches for Men in Blue to score 2,598 runs, with a top score of 117, which elevated his batting average to around 38.21 and strike rate to about 167.07. He has 4 centuries and 21 half‑centuries in the format as well.

As it was expected, Surya Kumar Yadav faced questions related to the possibility of Sanju Samson being in the playing XI of Team India for their first match of the Asia Cup 2025 against UAE (IND vs UAE Asia Cup 2025), which is scheduled to take place tomorrow (September 10, 2025) at Dubai International Stadium. 

Journalists asked Yadav, captain of India's T20I team, 'Will Sanju Samson play the match against the United Arab Emirates?'. Maintaining professional attire, the captain tried to make some positive comments during the press conference before the inauguration match of the tournament to ease speculations around the star keeper-batter. Yadav assured that there's nothing to worry about the top-order batter, as they are taking good care of him. 

"Sir, I will message you (journalist) playing XI. See, we are actually taking really good care of him. Don't worry, we will make the right decision tomorrow," Yadav said with laughter. 

Read More: WATCH: Gautam Gambhir closely monitors Sanju Samson ahead of IND vs UAE Asia Cup 2025 clash

Gambhir was spotted with Samson 

During one of India's practice sessions, head coach Gautam Gambhir was spotted with Samson. It is reported that Gambhir was closely monitoring the glove work of Sanju. For the wicketkeeper position, the competition is mainly between Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson. And for the opening spots, the 30-year-old is competing with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. BCCI named Gill as the deputy of India's T20I skipper Surya Kumar Yadav, so he is definitely going to play the first match.

Yadav looked confident about the team's strategy. During the recent outings for the Twenty20 format, Men in Blue gained notable traction before the tournament. "Abhi tak toh sab badiya chal rha hai, toh bina matlab ke kyu ungli kare? Acha chal rha hai, wahi same cheez follow karte rahenge jo last jitne bilaterals m acha hua hai. (We will keep continuing the same things. If something is working, that means we are working in the right direction," the captain said.