India’s five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final was a moment of immense joy and triumph for the team and its dedicated fans. However, what should have been a standard post-match trophy presentation quickly became an extraordinary spectacle due to an unexpected turn of events.
As the Indian team gathered, brimming with excitement, they faced a bizarre situation: the coveted trophy was withheld by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi. This left the champions with no silverware to lift and celebrate their hard-fought win.
But Captain Suryakumar Yadav, known for his innovative approach, ensured the moment would still be etched in history. With a mischievous grin, he flawlessly recreated Rohit Sharma’s iconic slow walk from India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. This symbolic gesture, reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s famous celebration after winning the FIFA World Cup, saw Yadav stride confidently, mimicking the act of holding an imaginary trophy high.
The celebrations, though lacking physical silverware, were electrifying, led by the hero of the match, Tilak Varma, who delivered an unbeaten 69 runs. He was ably supported by other key players including Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson. India’s chase was a masterclass in resilience, built on two crucial partnerships.
Firstly, Varma and Samson combined for a vital 57-run stand to stabilize the innings after early jitters. This was followed by a game-changing 60-run collaboration between Varma and Dube, which decisively shifted the momentum in India’s favour. Ultimately, Rinku Singh sealed the victory with a winning boundary, remarkably the only ball he faced in the entire tournament. This triumph marked India’s ninth Asia Cup victory across all formats and their second T20 Asia Cup title.
Despite the ACC’s attempts to proceed with a formal presentation, Mohsin Naqvi’s firm stance on personally presenting the trophy led to an hour-long stalemate. The Indian team respectfully declined, and in a surprising move, the trophy was eventually taken back by the organizers. In this unprecedented scenario, Yadav’s imitation of Rohit’s iconic walk transcended the absence of the physical trophy, becoming a powerful and memorable symbol of India’s triumph in spirit and skill.