Members of India’s national cricket team are under fire after sharing edited photos of themselves posing with a “trophy sticker” online, just hours after controversially refusing to accept the official Asia Cup 2025 silverware.
The controversy unfolded Sunday night following India’s five-wicket win over Pakistan in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Despite clinching the title, the Indian squad declined to collect the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chief and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, delaying the post-match presentation and leaving the tournament without its traditional handover ceremony.
Social Media Mockery
Shortly after the match, skipper Suryakumar Yadav, along with Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, and others, uploaded celebratory photos to social media. Instead of the real silverware, players added a digital trophy sticker to their pictures, sparking widespread ridicule.
One fan mocked the gesture as “another fake trophy—shine outside, hollow inside,” while others accused the team of political posturing. A defence analyst commented, “From the Delusional Cricket Team celebrating imaginary trophies to the Delusional Government cheering like a cartoon, India truly lives in an alternate reality.”
Fallout From Trophy Boycott
The ACC confirmed the Indian team’s refusal to accept the award, with presenter Simon Doull announcing:
“I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”
The incident has been criticized as damaging to the spirit of cricket. Pakistan captain Salman Agha called India’s actions “bad for cricket,” while cricketing legend Kapil Dev urged both nations to “move on” from the controversy.
Political Undercurrents
The standoff reflects ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have increasingly spilled onto the cricket field. Analysts suggested the refusal was influenced by broader diplomatic disputes, with some journalists alleging the players were being used as “political pawns.”
The Asia Cup trophy row is expected to escalate, with reports that India plans to raise the issue with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Meanwhile, ACC President Mohsin Naqvi hit back at critics, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for “dragging war into sport.”
The bizarre conclusion to the Asia Cup has left cricketing fans and officials divided, with the focus shifting from India’s victory to questions over sportsmanship, politics, and the image of the game.