 "Suryakumar Yadav expressed surprise at the Asian Cricket Council not handing over the Asia Cup trophy to the Indian team despite winning against Pakistan in the final. Image: Reuters")
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has accused Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief, of taking away the Asia Cup 2025 trophy and individual winners’ medals after the Men In Blue refused to take the awards from the Pakistan minister in the post-match ceremony.
While Indian players had constantly refused to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts during the three matches of the Asia Cup 2025, they also refused to accept the winners’ medals and trophy from Naqvi after their five-wicket win on Sunday . Indian players wanted to register their protest against Naqvi, who is also the interior minister of Pakistan and has been constantly involved in anti-India remarks.
‘Champion team denied the trophy’: Suryakumar
Suryakumar expressed surprise at the Indian team not getting the “hard-earned” trophy. “I think this is one thing I have never seen. Since I started playing and following cricket, a champion team being denied a trophy. That too a hard-earned one,” Suryakumar said after India defeated Pakistan in the final at the Dubai International Stadium.
The 35-year-old batter added that the “real” trophies for him are his players, who scripted an unbeaten campaign in the Asia Cup 2025.
“For me, the real trophies are sitting in the dressing room — my 14 teammates and the support staff. They are the reason we won this title. Still, a team winning a hard-fought tournament and not getting a trophy is something I have never seen,” he added.
Suryakumar donatest match fees to Indian Army
Suryakumar also announced that he will be donating all his match fees to the Indian Army.
“As a gesture, I want to donate my match fees from all the games in this tournament to the Indian Army. I don’t know if people will call it controversial, but for me, it’s the right thing to do.”
Talking about the challenges of leading the team in a tournament that has been marred by controversies and faced the ire of the fans, Suryakumar said the conversation in the team was to focus on the game and enjoy the process.
“I feel it was not that difficult. The boys took it in their stride. They were really happy with the way the campaign was going. Since day one I have been telling them only one thing: Let’s just focus on cricket on the ground. And when we go to the practice sessions, let’s enjoy what we are doing. Do the same things that we want to do in the game.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I think the boys took it in a positive way. I feel unbeaten in the tournament, the boys stepped up whenever needed. I think those are the small moments, small trophies, which we won going forward into the World Cup year.”
Having only scored 72 runs in six innings in the Asia Cup 2025, there are concerns regarding his form, but Suryakumar said the runs will come at the most crucial time.
“I don’t think I am out of form; I am out of runs. I believe in my preparations. In matches, things go on autopilot. God is watching, and if you keep doing well, everything comes on time,” he said.