Team India Lifts Asia Cup 2025 Amid Trophy Drama
Team India may have won the Asia Cup 2025 final on the field, but off the field, a major controversy stole the spotlight. The high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium ended with Suryakumar Yadav’s men chasing down a modest 147-run target with two balls to spare. Yet, the post-match celebrations took a dramatic twist when the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
The incident triggered confusion and a delay in the presentation ceremony. Reports suggest the decision was made after Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to participate in the pre-final photoshoot with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and Naqvi, citing political sensitivities. With tensions already high following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, the tournament was marked by charged atmospheres, including India avoiding handshakes with Pakistani players in earlier matches.
On the field, India showcased resilience. Pakistan had a strong start, reaching 113/1 in just the 13th over, but their batting lineup crumbled under the spin brilliance of Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm spinner turned the tide by claiming four wickets, including three in a decisive 17th over. Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy supported with two wickets each, dismissing Pakistan for 146 in 19.1 overs.
India’s chase began nervously at 20/3, with top-order batsmen departing early. However, Tilak Varma played a mature and unbeaten knock of 69 runs off 51 deliveries, steering India towards victory. Partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube steadied the innings before Rinku Singh sealed the match with a boundary, ensuring a five-wicket win with a ball to spare.
Despite the thrilling finish, the trophy controversy dominated headlines. With Indian players celebrating without the silverware—Suryakumar even mimicked a victory run as though carrying the trophy—the spectacle left fans and experts divided. The delay in Pakistan’s arrival for the presentation further fueled the drama, overshadowing India’s ninth Asia Cup title win.
This edition of the Asia Cup will be remembered not only for its cricketing intensity but also for the political undertones that shaped it. The India-Pakistan rivalry once again extended beyond the field, ensuring that the Asia Cup 2025 goes down as one of the most dramatic chapters in the tournament’s 41-year history.
