India captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the weird events that transpired after their Asian cup victory over Pakistan in Dubai. His team won by five wickets and this was the ninth Asia Cup of India.
Suryakumar revealed that the players had to wait for almost an hour after they chose not to accept the trophy from ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. Eventually, the team celebrated their win without the trophy. He also clarified that the decision was taken collectively by the players on the field, not on instructions from the BCCI or government.
“We didn’t close the door and sit inside the dressing room. We didn’t make anyone wait for the presentation ceremony. Trophy leke bhaag gaye woh (They ran away with the trophy). That’s what I saw. I don’t know, some people were making a video of us, but we were standing. We didn’t go inside,” Suryakumar said as quoted by The Indian Express.
“First of all, let me make it clear, no one from the Government or the BCCI told us anything throughout the tournament that if someone gives a trophy, we won’t take it. We took that decision on our own on the ground. They (ACC officials) were standing there on the stage and we were standing below. I saw them talking on stage and I don’t know the details of their chat. Some in the crowd started booing. And then we saw someone who was their representative taking the trophy and running away.”
Suryakumar Yadav
The first-order batter said that the players did not even enter the dressing room to retrieve their phones as soon as the game was over; they had their support staff and masseur carry them outside to the field. In the post-match press conference of the tournament, Suryakumar stated that he would give his entire match fee in the Asia Cup to the Indian Armed Forces.
“Everyone was enjoying the moment on the ground. The entire team was celebrating those who got the awards like Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma. They were all standing for them, clapping, whistling. That’s the culture of our team.”
Suryakumar Yadav
“When I went to the dressing room after we won, I was sitting there. A lot was going on in my mind on what I can do. I spoke to a friend who suggested that I can do this (donate the money). So I said okay. I think it’s a perfect moment also. And I have love for my country. So if it’s a small bit and if I can do it, then why not. It comes from inside me. I will definitely do as much as I can whenever I get the opportunity. People put so much effort everywhere. This is our bit, which is nothing actually. People who do so much, who do it selflessly, about whom no one knows.”
Suryakumar Yadav
India fought Pakistan three times during the tournament and won each time, including the final. Opener Abhishek Sharma stole the show in the first two games, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy held Pakistan to 146 runs in the final. Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson anchored India’s chase, leading the team to a five-wicket victory with two balls remaining.
