In the wake of India’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 in Dubai, Indian players sparked controversy by sharing images on social media holding imaginary ‘trophy emojis.’ This lighthearted approach has drawn criticism for undermining the sport’s integrity and has raised questions about the seriousness of their triumph. Captain Surya Kumar Yadav, along with teammates Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Abhishek Sharma, faced backlash for their seemingly unserious attitude in the aftermath of the match. The Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Devajit Sekia, has made a controversial statement alleging that Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Mohsin Naqvi, took the Asia Cup trophy to the hotel after the Indian players refused to accept it. Yadav commented, “When the game is over, only the champions are remembered, not the trophy image,” highlighting his disappointment over the team’s treatment after their hard-fought victory. He added that it was the first time in his career that a champion team was denied a trophy. Prior to the final, the Indian team had indicated they would only accept the trophy from Khalid Alzarouni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board. However, this request was denied by Mohsin Naqvi on principled grounds, further complicating the situation. As the BCCI plans to voice their concerns at the ICC conference in November, cricket analysts suggest that this controversy could be an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Pakistan and the ACC, an action viewed as contrary to the spirit of the game. Mohsin Naqvi has been recognised for his efforts to promote cricket in the region, successfully organizing the Asia Cup tournament, an achievement that India’s recent actions seem intent on undermining.
Indian players face criticism for posting fake trophy emojis after Asia Cup win
