India Refuses Asia Cup 2025 Trophy from Naqvi: Celebrates Without Silverware
In what may go down as one of the most politically charged post-match moments in cricket history, Team India stunned the world not with their on-field heroics, but with their defiant, trophy-less celebration after clinching the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
After a dominant performance against arch-rivals Pakistan in the final, India emerged as champions—but without lifting the actual trophy. In a calculated move, the Indian team refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief, and also Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Instead, what unfolded was a silent but powerful political statement.
Victory, Minus the Silverware
Post-match celebrations saw Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates jubilantly rejoicing their hard-fought win, but sans the usual metallic gleam of the trophy. Yadav mimicked Rohit Sharma’s iconic pose from previous victories—only this time, the trophy was imaginary.
“We as a team decided not to take the trophy (from Mohsin Naqvi). Nobody told us to do so. But I feel a team that wins the tournament deserves the trophy,” said Yadav during the press conference that followed.
This decision wasn’t just symbolic—it was direct. The team had made it clear behind closed doors that they would accept the trophy from anyone but Naqvi.
Naqvi Walks Out With the Trophy
In a move that further stoked the controversy, Naqvi reportedly stormed out of the venue with the Asia Cup trophy and the players’ medals in hand, accompanied by ACC officials. Footage of the dramatic exit quickly went viral on social media, with users across platforms reacting to the unfolding drama with shock, memes, and applause for the Indian team’s stand.
The Political Backdrop
The trophy snub was the culmination of a tense and politically charged tournament. Naqvi had repeatedly stoked controversy with cryptic social media posts, including one referencing Cristiano Ronaldo’s plane crash celebration, which Pakistani media used to falsely claim the downing of six Indian jets during Operation Sindoor—a supposed retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, an incident India has strongly refuted.
Naqvi also drew flak for pressuring the ICC to sanction Suryakumar Yadav under a Level 4 offence for displaying support for the Indian Army and the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
Throughout the tournament, India maintained a no-handshake policy with Pakistani players and officials—another quiet but telling gesture of protest.
Celebrations Go Viral—With a Twist
While the trophy was missing, the mood in the Indian camp was anything but somber. Hardik Pandya, who missed the final due to injury, posted an image on social media featuring a photoshopped Asia Cup trophy, reviving his popular pose from India’s T20 World Cup 2024 win.
Shubman Gill followed suit, uploading a picture with opening partner Abhishek Sharma, placing a virtual trophy between them—a light-hearted jab that quickly became a fan favorite.
A New Chapter in Cricket Diplomacy
India’s decision not to accept the trophy is being hailed by many as a moment of unprecedented assertion in international cricket diplomacy. It’s rare for sports, especially cricket in the subcontinent, to separate itself from politics—but in this instance, cricket became the stage for a powerful message.
As fans continue to debate the implications, one thing is certain: India might have walked away empty-handed in form, but not in spirit. The team’s unity, defiance, and creativity have turned what could have been a dull post-match moment into a viral, unforgettable chapter in Asia Cup history.
