Pakistan abused us on Diwali, India U19 wanted to answer on field: Yashveer Goud

In an interview with Sports Today, India U19 cricketer Yashveer Goud revealed that the team wanted to answer Pakistan's on-field taunts after their Diwali defeat, with the players saving their response for the Asia Cup final.Yashveer Goud said India wanted to show what the Indian team was capable of. Courtesy: Sony LIV screengrab/BCCINew Delhi,Nov 15, 2026 23:32 ISTIndia U19 cricketer Yashveer Goud said the team's determination to respond to Pakistan's on-field taunts was a major motivation behind their celebrations after winning the U19 Asia Cup final. India had suffered a defeat to their arch-rivals on Diwali in the league stage, but got the perfect opportunity to turn the tables when the two sides met again in the title clash.Pakistan had beaten India by three wickets in a thrilling group-stage encounter. India posted 208, with Arjun Rajput scoring a century, but Pakistan chased down the target, courtesy of a match-winning hundred from Hamza Zaroor. The defeat left the Indian players disappointed, particularly after an exchange of words and abusive language during the contest.India, however, kept their response for the final. Speaking to Sports Today, Yashveer explained why the celebrations after the title triumph carried extra emotion.“We had lost the match on Diwali. There was some exchange of words between us, including abusive language. We couldn't say anything after losing that match. We were waiting for the final. We wanted to perform well and show what India is capable of,” Yashveer said. India eventually produced a remarkable comeback to beat Pakistan by one wicket in the final on November 14. Chasing 338, they were in deep trouble at 252/8 before Manal Chauhan (47) and Mohit Ulva (49 not out) revived the chase. Ulva struck the winning boundary off the final delivery to seal a memorable victory.Yashveer was among the players who celebrated passionately after the finish, with his reaction towards the opposition also drawing attention. Asked about the celebrations and the differing opinions around them, he said the Indian players were simply responding to what they had experienced earlier. “We were doing the same thing they had done. They were silent, and we were silent too. We were wearing the Indian jersey. We were waiting for this moment. Everyone was emotional,” he added.What was main reason for Yashveer Goud's angry gestures to Pakistan players? #YashveerGoud #IndiaVsPakistan #INDvsPAK #IndiaU19 #U19AsiaCup #YashveerGoudCelebration #PakistanPlayers #AngryGestures #IndiaPakistanRivalry #U19AsiaCupFinal #TeamIndia #IndianCricket https://t.co/fcnR2xwjNO— Sports Today (@SportsTodayofc) November 15, 2026KAVYA EYES INDIA GOALWhile much of the attention has been on India's title-winning performance and the players' emotional celebrations, the U19 Asia Cup has also provided a platform for young cricketers to showcase their potential. However, the challenge for players at this level is to carry that form forward and eventually earn a place in the senior team.Kavya Patel has taken a step in that direction, finishing the tournament with eight wickets. The youngster has set his sights on representing India at the senior level, following a pathway that several former U19 cricketers, including Virat Kohli, have successfully taken.For Kavya, though, the key is to remain patient, focus on the process and make the most of every opportunity rather than get carried away by the bigger ambition.“Yes, that is the main goal. But we have to follow the process step by step and focus on that. Whatever match we play, we have to give it our full intensity. If we do that, things will fall into place,” Kavya said.India's triumph also marked the end of a prolonged wait for the title. Having last won the U19 Asia Cup in 2021, India missed out on the final in 2023 after losing to Bangladesh in the semi-finals. They then suffered a 59-run defeat to Bangladesh in the 2024 final before going down to Pakistan by 191 runs in the 2025 summit clash.In 2026, India finally reclaimed the crown, beating Pakistan by one wicket in a last-ball thriller to win the U19 Asia Cup for the first time in three editions.- Ends