NO TROPHY: Team India Skipper Suryakumar Yadav snubs PCB chairman and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, refuses to collect Asia Cup trophy from him in a night of celebrations in Dubai
This was one defining celebration, minus the trophy. Hang on, no pun, Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav decided he would not collect the Asia Cup from crook Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council boss, who also happens to be part of the Pakistan cricket establishment as chairman. Naqvi is also part of the Pakistani political establishment which continues to perpetuate terror on India.
From the playing arena in Dubai, just before Sunday midnight to cities in India, there were massive celebrations. Hang on, New Delhi where there is now a ‘cracker ban’ enforced for Diwali, still managed to pull out crackers and burst them. There was noise from residences as well, of celebration, defeating rogues Pakistan in the Asia Cup final.
Like that bad student who keeps flunking exams, Pakistan tripped, even though they had enough opportunity to get the better of India, this time. But then, a messed run-out and Tilak Varma showed presence of mind and sharp cricketing acumen, where he realised scoring runs was going to be hard on a sluggish, worn-out track. Tilak, young and full of ‘josh’ scored 69 runs, where the essay at the crease was defined by patience and then neutering the Pakistan attack in his 69 runs off 53 balls. He stayed at the crease and sealed the deal.
Hang on, the real deal was what followed after the match. The Indian cricket team has been accused of being mercenaries and far worse, for engaging with Pakistan. No, they showed character on the field. And then came the act of snubbing Mohsin Naqvi, as they refused to collect the trophy from him. Imagine how red-faced the Pakistani crook must have been made to feel, unable to hand over a trophy to India.
India have won hearts, and a trophy is just one more addition to the cabinet. So, what, if they did not get it on Sunday. It will come one day, given the enormous clout India wields in cricket circles. Wastrel Mohsin Naqvi is just a comic character in it, and was shown his place by India.
For sheer patriotism, this act from Team India, where skipper Suryakumar Yadav led like a Field Marhsall, resonated. The team mocked the Pakistani Interior Minister, danced as well, after the win. They had every reason to celebrate, since defeating Pakistan on the cricket pitch is as joyful as a heavyweight boxer punching his opponent to the ropes inside a ring. More than the defeat inflicted on the Pakistani cricketers, this was a slap on face for the Pakistan political establishment, of which Mohsin Naqvi is a central character/figure.
"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 September 4, 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. If you tell me about the trophies, my trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all 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,” said Suryakumar Yadav. He deserves a medal just for his articulation.
Even as the skipper and the players rejoiced on the turf in Dubai, where they preferred joy of the highs minus a big trophy, what followed was an embarrassment for those staging the Asia Cup. Social media was trolling the Pakistanis and Mohsin Naqvi, he had fled with the trophy! Hang on, it will return to India, sooner than later, as India call the shots. If anyone looked ‘defeated’ and was shown his place, it Mohsin Naqvi. This was more than a snub, refusal to collect the Asia Cup from him was heaps of humiliation. It shows, India will punch Pakistan hard, at each opportunity.
Suryakumar Yadav has also decided to donate his match fees. “I have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims who suffered from the Pahalgam terror attack. You always remain in my thoughts,” read his social media post.
If proof was needed the Indian cricketers heart beats for India, they behaved in accordance. After all, unlike a Pakistani cricketer, who held his bat crazily, as if wielding a gun, last week, the Indians made the right noise. As a captain, SKY has emerged as a hero of sorts, choosing his words carefully.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X/Twitter. #OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins. Congrats to our cricketers.
#OperationSindoor on the games field.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2025
Outcome is the same - India wins!
Congrats to our cricketers.
