KEY POINTS
- Indian players posted images online with digitally edited trophies, triggering widespread ridicule across social media.
- Pakistan’s captain called the move “disrespectful to cricket” and criticized the Indian team.
- The tournament was overshadowed by India-Pakistan tensions, from handshake snubs to accusations of players being used as political tools.
ISLAMABAD: The Indian cricket team is facing intense backlash on social media and within the international cricketing community after refusing to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Asian Cricket Council Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, with backlash intensifying as players later shared edited images online showing themselves celebrating with a digitally added trophy.
The controversy has only deepened after Indian players began sharing edited images online, showing themselves celebrating with a digitally added trophy, an act widely mocked and condemned as childish and politically motivated.
The Asia Cup final, held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, saw India narrowly defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets. But the on-field achievement was quickly overshadowed by what followed off the pitch.
Trophy snub shook cricketing world
In an unprecedented move, the Indian team declined to receive the winner’s trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
This marked a shocking departure from cricketing norms and resulted in a prolonged delay to the closing ceremony. Presenter Simon Doull confirmed the abrupt end to the post-match presentation, stating:
“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.”
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, who accepted the runners-up cheque, expressed disappointment, accusing India of disrespecting the game.
“They’re not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they’re disrespecting cricket,” Agha told reporters.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen this happen. It’s bad for the game. It’s not what cricket is about.”
Agha said, “Naturally, the ACC president is the one to present the trophy to the winners, if you refuse to accept it from him, then how do you expect to receive it?
Agha added that while Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had shown cordiality in private interactions, public behaviour appeared dictated by “external instructions.”
Mockery follows edited trophy posts
Hours after the trophy snub, Indian players, led by Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma, posted images on social media posing with a trophy that was clearly edited into the frame using digital stickers.
https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=%2Fshubmangill%2F&source=omni_redirect
This bizarre move has triggered a storm of online mockery. Social media users from across South Asia, including India, lashed out at the team’s actions.
One viral comment read: “Another fake trophy… just like the fake ‘Op Sindoor’ glory. Shine outside, hollow inside.”
Another fake trophy… just like the fake ‘Op Sindoor’ glory. Shine outside, hollow inside.#PAKvsIND pic.twitter.com/0J0gaehhZM
— Sohail Ahmed (@sohailahmedsa) September 29, 2025
A Pakistani defence analyst mocked the broader political and cultural atmosphere, stating:
🚨 From the Delusional Cricket Team celebrating imaginary trophies, to the Delusional Airforce Chief, and the Delusional Government cheering like a cartoon, India truly lives in an alternate reality of its own imagination.
Funny people.
— Ahmad Hassan Al-Arbi (@AhmadHassanArbi) September 29, 2025
“From the Delusional Cricket Team celebrating imaginary trophies, to the Delusional Air Force Chief, and the Delusional Government cheering like a cartoon, India truly lives in an alternate reality of its own imagination. Funny people!”
Criticism from within India
Even Indian voices weren’t silent. A prominent Indian journalist posted:
“Suryakumar Yadav can do all the posturing and cheering, but he’ll have to live with the fact that, despite being a star cricketer and an India captain, he was used as a political pawn to the whims and hypocrisy of the government.”
🚨 From the Delusional Cricket Team celebrating imaginary trophies, to the Delusional Airforce Chief, and the Delusional Government cheering like a cartoon, India truly lives in an alternate reality of its own imagination.
Funny people.
— Ahmad Hassan Al-Arbi (@AhmadHassanArbi) September 29, 2025
The incident has reignited the debate over the growing politicization of sports in South Asia, especially in high-stakes India-Pakistan clashes.
Controversies mar tournament
The 2025 Asia Cup was riddled with political undertones from the start. Indian players avoided handshakes with Pakistani counterparts throughout the tournament. That same tension reached its peak during the final.
Despite the controversy, individual accolades were handed out. Kuldeep Yadav received awards for his bowling performance, while young opener Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Tournament. However, the presentation lacked its crowning moment—India lifting the trophy.
The optics of Pakistan’s captain receiving the runners-up cheque while the trophy remained unclaimed painted a strange and unsettling picture.
Agha announces donation
In a surprising and symbolic gesture, Salman Ali Agha announced that the Pakistan team would donate their match fees from the final to victims of recent Indian attacks on Pakistani soil.
“As a team, we are donating our Asia Cup final match fees to the families of civilians and children affected in the Indian attacks on Pakistan,” he stated.
Sporting low point
This year’s Asia Cup might be remembered less for cricketing brilliance and more for its off-field theatrics and political brinkmanship. While India’s players may have hoped to rewrite the post-match narrative with celebratory selfies, the backlash suggests the story isn’t going away anytime soon.
