No trophy? No problem: Indian players hoist imaginary cup, use emojis to celebrate Asia Cup victory

Team India’s post-match celebrations were ruined when Mohsin Naqvi ran away with the trophy, but that did not stop the Men In Blue from celebrating the Asia Cup 2205 victory uniquely – with an imaginary trophy, emojis and the Indian flag. The Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday in Dubai witnessed high-voltage drama, both during the match and after it.

Chasing a target of 147, India were reduced to 20/3 inside the powerplay as in-form Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill and captain Surykumar Yadav failed to fire. But the chase was resurrected by Tilak Varma (69), who remained not out till the end and finished the job with some help from Shivam Dube (33).

India’s five-wicket win, however, was just the start of another controversy as the players refused to take the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Naqvi, as the Pakistani politician has consistently been making anti-India comments.

More from First Cricket

Salman throws away cheque, accuses Suryakumar of pretense, pledges fees to Pakistan civilians hit by ‘Operation Sindoor': 'We shook hands in private' BCCI reveals why Indian players boycotted Naqvi after Asia Cup final, threatens action for withholding trophy: ‘That was not an impulsive act’

Team India’s incredible imaginary Asia Cup trophy celebration

As the ACC insisted India take the trophy from Naqvi and later removed the silverware, the Indian players improvised, celebrating with an imaginary cup. Suryakumar Yadav even recreated Rohit Sharma’s iconic slow-walk strut, while his teammates hoisted the ‘trophy’ in the air.

India lift the Asia Cup Trophy in Dubai even though Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi cowardly stole it. Epic trolling of Pakistan by the Indian Cricket Team. pic.twitter.com/H0udtGSenP

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 28, 2025

Later, Indian players posted pictures posing with the Asia Cup trophy – but the catch was that they used trophy emojis, as the actual silverware had been taken to Naqvi’s hotel room.

“When the game is done, only the champions will be remembered and not the picture of a 🏆,” SKY wrote on Instagram while sharing the picture.

Hardik Pandya also posted a picture with the trophy emoji as he recreated the iconic T20 World Cup pose.

Arshdeep Singh posted a picture with Harshit Rana and Pandya, featuring an Indian flag superimposed on their hands, calling it the “real trophy.”

It’s been a difficult tournament for the Indian team, just a few months after the Pahalgam terror attack and the political undertone in Dubai was very evident. But the Indian team has made the country proud with their unbeaten campaign and played some terrific cricket to beat Pakistan three times and win the Asia Cup a record-extending ninth time.

They also showed they know how to chill and live in the moment, launching an unprecedented tournament victory celebration with an imaginary trophy, while sending a stern message to their opponents.