‘We Waited…’: Suryakumar Explains Why India Refused Taking Asia Cup trophy From Mohsin Naqvi | Cricket News

Unlimited drama, unending controversy and chaos all around, that’s how the Asia Cup 2025 concluded on Sunday night in Dubai. India crushed Pakistan in what was the first-ever final of the continental championship featuring the arch-rivals. Salman Ali Agha & Co succumbed to another batting collapse, ultimately losing to India by 5 wickets, thrice in a span of two weeks.

Bizarre scenes unfolded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium after India’s historic win. The Indian team refused to take the trophy from Asia Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be a minister in the Pakistan government. Baffled by India’s unofficial protest, the Asia Cup organisers didn’t hand the trophy and the medallions to the winners.

Later in the post-match press conference, a Pakistani journalist asked the Indian captain if the BCCI had written an email to the ICC, informing them about their refusal to accept the silverware from Naqvi. Suryakumar Yadav quashed any such theory, stating that it was a spontaneous decision taken on the field.

“I don’t know about the mail that you are talking about. But we took a call on the ground. Nobody asked us to do that. We waited on the ground for the trophy. You only tell me if a team that had played so well and won the tournament. Doesn’t it deserve the trophy,” Suryakumar said.

The Indian skipper was surprised by the turn of events, stating that he had never witnessed such a moment before.

“I think this is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing and following cricket, that a champion team is denied a trophy. I mean that too, a hard-earned one. It wasn’t something that happened easily. It was a hard-earned tournament win,” Suryakumar said.

Surprised but unfazed over the incident, Suryakumar Yadav sent a heart-warming message to his teammates.

“If you tell me about the trophies, my trophies are sitting in my dressing room. All 14 guys are with me. All the support staff. Those are the real trophies. These are real moments which I am taking back as lovely memories which will stay with me forever going forward. And that’s all,” the Indian captain added.