India Team Refused to Take the Trophy in Asia Cup 2025 – Full Story

The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai will be remembered not only for India’s thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan but also for what happened after the last ball was bowled. In an unprecedented and highly symbolic move, the Indian cricket team refused to accept the winner’s trophy and medals during the official presentation ceremony. This act stunned spectators worldwide, sparking intense debate about the role of politics in cricket and the future of India–Pakistan sporting relations.

A Final for the Ages

On 28 September 2025, India and Pakistan met for the first time ever in an Asia Cup final. The match itself was full of drama. Pakistan, after a strong start, collapsed from 113 for 1 to 146 all out. India chased down the target of 147 in 19.4 overs, with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 anchoring the innings and sealing the win. It was India’s ninth Asia Cup title and second in the T20 format.

Yet, as spectacular as the cricket was, it was the post-match events that dominated headlines across the globe.

The Trophy Controversy

Traditionally, the presentation of the Asia Cup trophy is a celebratory moment. But in Dubai, things turned tense when the trophy and medals were to be presented by Mohsin Naqvi, who serves not only as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman but also as the Interior Minister of Pakistan.

According to reports, the Indian players were uncomfortable with this arrangement. After consultations with their management, the team collectively refused to receive the trophy and medals directly from Naqvi. Instead, the players celebrated privately, staging an improvised “mock presentation” with an imaginary trophy, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.

This was not a spontaneous outburst but a calculated act of protest — a statement that India did not want to associate the team’s sporting achievement with political figures from across the border.

Why Did India Refuse?

1. Conflict of Interest Allegations

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which organizes the Asia Cup, is supposed to be a neutral governing body. Having the PCB chairman — also a sitting minister in Pakistan’s government — present the trophy was seen by many in India as a violation of neutrality. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hinted at filing a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

2. Political Tensions

The refusal cannot be separated from the broader political climate. In recent months, India–Pakistan relations have remained strained, and many officials argued that allowing a Pakistani minister to preside over an Indian victory would send the wrong message domestically.

3. Message of Self-Respect

By refusing the trophy, the Indian team arguably wanted to convey that their hard-earned success should not be politicized or overshadowed by external symbolism. Their “imaginary trophy celebration” underscored the point: for them, the win itself was the real prize.

Immediate Reactions

From India

The move was met with strong support in India. Political leaders, including the Prime Minister and President, congratulated the team not just for the victory but for their stance. Social media in India erupted with praise, calling it a “bold” and “patriotic” act.

From Pakistan

On the other side, reactions were a mix of disappointment and criticism. Many Pakistani commentators argued that sports should rise above politics, and accused India of disrespecting cricketing traditions. However, others admitted that Pakistan’s own batting collapse — nine wickets for 33 runs — was the real reason for their defeat, and the trophy refusal only added salt to the wound.

From the Cricket World

Global cricketing voices were divided. Some praised India’s principled stand, while others worried it set a dangerous precedent where political disputes could overshadow cricketing moments. Former players urged both countries to keep cricket separate from diplomatic tensions.

Symbolism of the Mock Celebration

Perhaps the most striking image of the night was when Indian players formed a circle, cheered loudly, and held their hands in the air as if lifting an invisible trophy. The video flooded timelines across the world. For supporters, it symbolized defiance; for critics, immaturity. But either way, it was unforgettable.

This mock celebration also highlighted how athletes use gestures to express deeper messages. In this case, the Indian team seemed to be saying: “Our glory doesn’t need validation from anyone — least of all from political figures.”

Possible Consequences

1. ACC and ICC Intervention
   With the BCCI reportedly preparing a formal complaint, the ICC may be pressured to review trophy presentation protocols to ensure neutrality in future tournaments.

2. Strained Bilateral Relations
   India and Pakistan already don’t play bilateral cricket due to political tensions. This controversy could make it even harder to arrange future series.

3. A Precedent for Protest
   Other teams may now feel emboldened to take similar stances in situations where politics creeps into cricket. Whether this strengthens player voices or weakens the spirit of the game is a matter of perspective.

Lessons for Cricket Governance

The incident shines a light on the need for strict separation between cricket administration and politics. While cricket in South Asia has always carried political undertones, moments like this remind governing bodies of the importance of neutrality. Fans deserve to see players honored for their skills and efforts, not caught in symbolic battles.

It also raises the question: should active politicians hold key roles in cricket boards? For many analysts, the answer is no. Independence in sports governance is essential if the game is to avoid being overshadowed by political agendas.

The Players’ Perspective

Inside the dressing room, reports suggest the players were unified in their stance. Senior leaders advised younger teammates that this was not a reckless act but a collective expression of dignity. The fact that no player broke ranks and all stood together shows how deeply the team felt about the issue.

Conclusion – A Final Beyond Runs and Wickets

The 2025 Asia Cup Final was extraordinary not just for the cricket but for what it revealed about the intersection of sport, pride, and politics. India’s decision to refuse the trophy may divide opinion, but it will certainly be remembered as a landmark moment in cricketing history.

For fans, the night delivered unforgettable drama: Pakistan’s collapse, Tilak Varma’s heroics, Rinku Singh’s winning boundary, and finally, a trophy ceremony unlike any seen before. For the cricketing world, it was a reminder that in South Asia, cricket is never just a game — it is also a stage where politics, identity, and symbolism play out in front of millions.

India’s players may not have lifted the trophy physically, but in their eyes — and in the eyes of many of their supporters — they lifted something bigger: a statement of principle. And that, in its own way, will echo as loudly as their victory itself.

For more updates on international cricket news and Asia Cup coverage, visit ESPNCricinfo.

Read Also: India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final 2025 – Match Recap