India’s dramatic celebrations after their Asia Cup 2025 triumph over Pakistan were not just spontaneous — they were masterminded by pacer Arshdeep Singh, as revealed by spinner Varun Chakravarthy during the CEAT Awards ceremony on October 7. In a gripping retelling of the night’s events, Chakravarthy explained how India’s players turned an awkward situation into one of the most memorable post-match celebrations in recent memory.

The controversy began after India’s thrilling win in the Asia Cup final, when the players reportedly refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. The team had requested that a different official present the silverware, but the request was denied. Consequently, the Indian team did not receive either the winners’ medals or the trophy — an unprecedented moment in cricket history.

As the presentation ceremony fell apart at the Dubai International Stadium, the Indian players decided to make the best of the bizarre situation. Standing together on the podium, captain Suryakumar Yadav mimicked a trophy lift and even recreated Rohit Sharma’s iconic World Cup-winning pose, drawing loud cheers and laughter from his teammates.

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Varun Chakravarthy later revealed that the idea to celebrate without the trophy came from Arshdeep. “It was actually Arshdeep’s idea. We were waiting for the trophy, but we all know how that turned out,” he said, adding humorously, “I was standing there hoping the cup would show up — the only cup next to me was a coffee cup!”

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who also attended the event, admitted that it felt strange to celebrate without the actual trophy. “But our dressing room environment is so positive — even if we don’t have anything, we celebrate like we have everything. That’s exactly what we did,” he shared with a smile.

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Later, Indian players humorously took to social media, posting pictures with the trophy emoji in place of the real silverware. Despite the controversy, India’s camaraderie, resilience, and humour once again shone through — a reminder that their spirit cannot be dimmed, not even by off-field politics.