Asia Cup Trophy Standoff: India Refuses to Collect Trophy in Dubai
In a dramatic finale to the Asia Cup, India completed a five-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai. The ceremony to present the coveted trophy, however, became a focal point for controversy when the Indian team declined to collect the Asia Cup trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. Reports described a standoff on the field as Naqvi prepared to hand over the trophy, with India unconvinced about the moment or manner of the presentation. The trophy ceremony was eventually curtailed, and the trophy was taken off the ground as other presentations proceeded.
The Standoff and the Ceremony That Didn’t Follow the Script
As per accounts, the delay stemmed from a disagreement over the trophy hand-over. Pakistan collected their runners-up medals from Aminul Islam, the BCB President, while India’s five-wicket victory was celebrated in the dressing room. In the end, although Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma accepted sponsor rewards, the Indian team did not accept their winner’s medals or the winning trophy on the day.
What the Players Said
In the post-match press conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the moment with characteristic candor. He said, “This is one thing which I have never seen since I have started playing cricket, since I have started following cricket that a champion team is denied to get a trophy. That too, a hard-earned one, it’s not like we got it easily. It was a hard-earned tournament. We were here since the 4th, played two back-to-back good games. I feel we deserved it. I can’t say anything more, I think I have summed it up really well, I can’t say anything more about it.”
He added a reflective note, praising the team’s internal rewards: “If you tell me about the trophies, my trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys, all the support staff — those are the real trophies who I have been a big fan of throughout this journey of Asia Cup. Those are the real trophies, the real moments which I am taking back as lovely memories and which will stay forever.”
Reactions and Aftermath
Following India’s outcome, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced a reward of INR 21 crore for the players and support staff, underscoring that triumphs on the field are not only measured by trophies but also by the recognition of those who contribute behind the scenes.
What This Means for Indian Cricket
Incidents like this highlight the complex choreography of international cricket ceremonies, where on-field success is accompanied by ceremonial protocol. While the trophy’s ultimate destination remains a matter of record, the moment underscored a broader conversation about how such honors are delivered and received. Analysts may debate whether the standoff will cast a long shadow or fade as fans focus on the performance that delivered India’s victory in the final.
Looking Forward
As both teams reflect on the Asia Cup campaign, the episode serves as a reminder that sports victories often come with logistical and ceremonial challenges. For now, the cricketing achievement remains intact: India earned the win, South Asia’s cricketing rivalry delivered memorable drama, and the next chapters will determine how such moments are remembered in the annals of Asia Cup history.
