'One can’t ignore WhatsApp': Suryakumar Yadav reveals how Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika's advice helped him

Suryakumar Yadav reveals how Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika's advice helped him prepare for 2025 Asia Cup. (Photo: ICC)

India’s 2025 Asia Cup proved to be a rollercoaster. While the team clinched the title, controversy followed them throughout, particularly due to facing Pakistan three times—once in the group stage, again in the Super Fours, and finally in the final. The drama extended beyond the field, as the Indian team had to celebrate their victory without the trophy during the post-match presentation.

Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the ACC, the PCB, and the interior minister of Pakistan, was boycotted by Suryakumar Yadav and company. Naqvi, who was meant to present the trophy to India, was unimpressed by the rejection. Meanwhile, the group stage and Super Four matches were marred by incidents like the handshake row, with both teams refusing to shake hands. Suryakumar Yadav also avoided a handshake with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during the toss in all three encounters.

Also Read | Shahid Afridi urges Mohsin Naqvi to step down as PCB chief after Asia Cup setback and drama

The MI star commended Ritika Sajdeh, Rohit Sharma's wife, for her pre-tournament guidance in an interview with The Indian Express. "I knew there would be a lot of noise," he stated.

"One can’t ignore WhatsApp because it’s the mode of communication. But before coming here, I deleted all my social media from my phone, be it Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. Because if it’s on your phone, people send messages, and it’s a human thing to see it. I remember speaking to Rohit (Sharma) and his wife (Ritika) how he cut the noise before big games. Ritika told me that he shuts all his social media apps on his phone. I also followed it, and it helped in my decision-making," he added.

Despite his subpar performances with the bat at the Asia Cup, Suryakumar insisted that he isn't out of form. He said, "I get a slight start then gaadi band ho jaati hai, (the vehicle stops). It is not that I am not playing shots. I am playing shots too. I have not stopped anything. I can’t say that I have no form. I can only say that I am out of runs. So there is no pressure of captaincy. Now when you see Rohit Bhai, he has batted more openly in his captaincy. It is just that there will be a small hurdle and I will cross it. God has saved everything for the right time."