India Players Mock PCB and ACC with Trophyless Uploads on Social Media

India secured a memorable Asia Cup 2025 victory on Sunday with a five-wicket win over Pakistan in the final. While the thrilling match kept fans on edge, the post-match presentation turned chaotic and controversial. In an unprecedented development, the trophy was absent from the ceremony after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to accept it from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi. The dramatic standoff overshadowed what was otherwise a historic win for India.

The match itself was a fitting finale to one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. Pakistan, after a strong start, collapsed dramatically from 113/1 to 146 all out, thanks to a masterful spell by Kuldeep Yadav, who finished with 4/30. In reply, India’s chase began shakily. At 20/3 in the powerplay, the team appeared under pressure. However, young Tilak Varma rose to the occasion with a composed unbeaten 69 off 53 balls, well supported by Shivam Dube’s 33 off 22. Rinku Singh sealed the win with a boundary, sparking celebrations as India clinched the title with two balls to spare.


As the players prepared for the presentation, the spotlight shifted from cricketing glory to controversy. Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s interior minister as well as PCB chairman and ACC president, arrived to present the trophy and medals. However, the Indian team refused to accept them. This unexpected stand-off left the ceremony in disarray, delaying proceedings for more than an hour.


Following the incident, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia clarified the board’s decision. “We decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who represents a country currently at odds with ours. That was our stance. But this does not give him the right to take the trophy and medals. It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike. We hope the trophy and medals are returned to India as soon as possible. We will launch a serious protest at the ICC conference in Dubai this November,” he said.


The situation worsened as Pakistan also expressed displeasure. Reports suggested that captain Salman Ali Agha refused to accept the runners-up cheque and even threw it aside in protest. Their players eventually collected their medals, but the bitterness of the situation was evident.


Despite the absence of the trophy, Indian players turned the incident into an opportunity to showcase their creativity and humor. Suryakumar Yadav amused fans by mimicking Rohit Sharma’s iconic 2024 T20 World Cup walk while holding an imaginary trophy. Hardik Pandya recreated his famous trophy celebration pose—this time without the actual trophy in hand. On social media, players shared photoshopped images of themselves with edited trophies, drawing laughter and admiration from fans. Arshdeep Singh even mocked Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by imitating his celebrations after dismissing Sanju Samson earlier in the tournament.

The controversy quickly became the most discussed topic among cricket fans worldwide. Hashtags related to the trophy drama trended on social platforms as fans applauded the Indian team’s resilience and creativity. Many hailed the players’ ability to turn an awkward and contentious moment into a celebration of unity and spirit. Others criticized the ACC and PCB for allowing politics to overshadow sport.

India’s triumph marked their ninth Asia Cup title, reinforcing their dominance in the regional tournament. For young talents like Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh, the win was especially significant as they showcased maturity under pressure. While the trophy drama clouded the evening, India’s on-field performance was a reminder of the depth and resilience in the squad.

The incident has sparked debates about the role of politics in cricket administration. The BCCI’s planned protest at the ICC’s Dubai conference will likely set the stage for heated discussions about governance in multinational tournaments. For now, though, India’s players and fans will remember the night not just for the victory, but also for the unique and spirited way they celebrated without a trophy.