Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav made a bold statement after an unprecedented incident unfolded during the post-match presentation of the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. After India’s thrilling five-wicket victory, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi left the stage with the trophy and winners’ medals, denying the Indian team the opportunity to receive their hard-earned accolade. The delay and drama left fans and players stunned.

Commenting on the controversy, Suryakumar Yadav said, “This is one thing I have never seen since I started playing and following cricket—a champion team being denied a trophy, especially after how hard we fought for it. But for me, the real trophies are the 14 players in our dressing room and all the support staff. Those are the memories I will cherish forever.” He further asserted that the most important thing was that the world saw India as the Asia Cup 2025 champions, regardless of the physical trophy or medals.

Suryakumar revealed that it was a collective team decision not to accept the trophy from Naqvi, and that no external authority had advised them on the matter. Despite the off-field controversy and the absence of a trophy presentation, the Indian side celebrated their achievement with joy—Suryakumar led the festivities with a celebratory gesture reminiscent of Rohit Sharma’s iconic "Ric Flair strut," inspired by Lionel Messi’s World Cup celebrations.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion about sportsmanship, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) planning to lodge an official protest against Naqvi’s conduct at the next ICC conference. For Suryakumar Yadav and Team India, however, their resilience and unity on the field—and in the dressing room—remain their truest reward.