At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, the Indian team put up a great show of unity and jubilation, yet was noticeably empty-handed as the usual gleam of the Asia Cup trophy was missing from their celebrations. After defeating Pakistan to clinch the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian team refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief as well interior minister, making a not-so silent political statement.

The scene post-victory was unprecedented. Instead of the customary trophy lift, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates celebrated their victory minus the silverware. Not only did the captain and his mates lift an imaginary trophy, Yadav even mimicked Rohit Sharma’s iconic trophy pose,

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