New Delhi: India captain Suryakumar Yadav has broken his silence on the controversy that followed India’s five-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, saying that Asian Cricket Council officials “ran away” with the trophy after the team decided not to accept it from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi.
Suryakumar clarified that the decision was taken entirely by the players on the spot and was not influenced by the cricket board or the government. “No one from the government or the board told us anything throughout the tournament about refusing a trophy. We took that decision ourselves on the ground,” he said.
Recounting the incident, he said the players were waiting near the presentation stage when the officials unexpectedly left with the trophy. “We didn’t close the door and sit inside the dressing room. We didn’t make anyone wait for the ceremony. Trophy leke bhaag gaye woh (they ran away with the trophy). That’s what I saw. Some people were making a video of us, but we were just standing there. We didn’t go inside,” he explained.
A video from the venue later showed an official removing the trophy after the ACC chief walked away from the ceremony.
Suryakumar also dismissed claims that the refusal to accept the trophy was a pre-planned move. “They were standing on the stage, and we were standing below. I saw them talking to each other, and then some in the crowd started booing. Soon after, we saw their representative take the trophy and leave,” he said.
The incident has sparked debate among fans and former players over the decision and its impact on cricketing relations in the region.
