Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Reason Behind Closing Eyes During National Anthem Before India-Pakistan Clashes

Team India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed why he closes his eyes during the Indian national anthem before cricket matches.The national anthem ceremony before sports matches creates memorable moments. While it's typically a formal procedure, certain occasions like rivalry matches or player debuts make it particularly meaningful.During the recent India-Pakistan match at the 2025 Asia Cup, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was observed with his eyes closed while singing "Jana Gana Mana".At a press conference following India's victory over Oman in the final group stage match, Yadav shared his thoughts when asked about the India-Pakistan clash on Saturday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!"The best match for me was when I played my first game for India. And after that, all the matches I played for India, whenever I took the field, wearing the jersey has always been a proud moment for me. I am always excited, I am always proud to be part of this wonderful campaign, and I will always be proud," he told reporters. "If you have seen, I always keep my eyes closed in the National Anthem. I keep thinking about it. I keep remembering it. I keep thanking God for giving me this opportunity to play as long as I can. I am very happy."The India-Pakistan match held special significance for Suryakumar for multiple reasons. It coincided with his birthday and marked his first encounter against Pakistan as team captain.The match also carried additional weight as it was the first meeting between the two teams since the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent border tensions.While his actions were closely scrutinised, including a handshake controversy, Suryakumar focused on his performance on the field. He emerged as India's highest scorer in the second innings and secured the team's seven-wicket victory with a decisive six.The match demonstrated Suryakumar's ability to maintain composure under pressure while leading the national team in a high-stakes encounter.