India’s T20 Captain Speaks Out After Asia Cup Win
Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India’s T20 team, expressed that his squad was unable to claim the 2025 Asia Cup trophy despite defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the final on Sunday.
Key Performances in the Final
Tilak Varma’s composed half-century was instrumental in securing India’s victory against their longstanding rivals, allowing them to clinch their ninth Asia Cup title, and the second in the T20 format, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Delayed Presentation Ceremony
The post-match presentation took almost an hour due to the late arrival of the Pakistan team, led by skipper Salman Agha.
Refusal to Accept the Trophy
India’s team opted not to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This gesture echoed their earlier refusal to shake hands with the Pakistan team throughout the tournament.
Yadav’s Reaction
“I’ve never witnessed a champion team being denied a well-deserved trophy,” Yadav noted in the post-match conference. “We earned this, and there’s not much more to say. My true trophies are with my team in the dressing room.”
Controversy Over Trophy Presentation
A statement from the ACC indicated that Naqvi was to present the trophy. Despite this, he did not withdraw from the ceremony when informed of India’s decision. An official even took the Asia Cup trophy from the podium before the ceremony, and the ACC did not clarify the reasoning behind this removal.
Future Steps by the BCCI
Following these events, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced plans for a protest to retrieve the trophy and medals for the players, emphasizing their decision to refrain from accepting the trophy from a Pakistani authority figure. He mentioned, “It’s unfortunate, but we will ensure that the trophy is returned to us as soon as possible.”
