On his 35th birthday, Team India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav received a heartfelt wish from his wife, Devisha Shetty, just hours before he led his team in a high-stakes Asia Cup 2025 clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai. The personal milestone coincided with a tense national moment, as the match took place amid a backdrop of recent military conflicts and calls for a boycott from a section of the public.
Devisha Shetty took to Instagram to share a story for her husband, writing, “My absolute fav human. Happy happy birthday. Love you now and forever,” a message that resonated with fans as the team geared up for the cauldron of the Dubai International Stadium.
Heading into the match, the pressure was immense on Suryakumar, who had a less-than-stellar T20I record against Pakistan, averaging a mere 12.64 with 64 runs in five innings. The team was also under immense scrutiny, with India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate admitting that the camp was “aware of the sentiments and the strong feelings” of the public.
The match, however, provided a memorable birthday gift for the captain. India registered a comfortable victory over Pakistan, solidifying its place in the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav led his side from the front, scoring a crucial 50 and showing why he is the No.1 ranked T20I batter. His captaincy was also praised for its composure under pressure, and he was able to improve his record against Pakistan. The victory was a perfect way for the team and the captain to celebrate his special day and ease some of the tensions surrounding the match.