Trophy Drama Overshadows India’s Asia Cup Victory
The Asia Cup 2025 T20 final in Dubai ended in an unusual fashion on Sunday night. While India secured the title with a comfortable chase of Pakistan’s 147-run target, the moment that should have been a celebration quickly spiraled into controversy.
Instead of lifting the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the Indian players deliberately kept their distance. Captain Suryakumar Yadav made it clear he would only accept the silverware from match officials, leaving Naqvi standing awkwardly on stage.
Pattern of Cold Gestures
This was not an isolated gesture. Throughout the tournament, India’s conduct in matches against Pakistan raised eyebrows. The team repeatedly skipped post-match handshakes, a long-standing tradition symbolizing respect in cricket. Yadav even avoided shaking hands with Babar Azam at the toss and opted out of the customary pre-final trophy photoshoot.
The discomfort didn’t stop there. In media interactions, Yadav was criticized for mixing politics with cricket, further fueling the narrative that India’s approach went beyond sporting rivalry.
Reactions From the Cricketing World
The behaviour sparked a wave of criticism from commentators, former players, and fans on social media. Many described it as a stain on the spirit of cricket, often called the “gentleman’s game.”
India may have lifted the Asia Cup, but the debate is now centered less on their performance and more on their conduct. What should have been a historic night for Indian cricket ended instead with silence and strained faces on the presentation stage.
