The Asia Cup 2025 final may have given India its record-extending ninth title, but the drama that followed the victory overshadowed the celebrations. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the Indian team’s refusal to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi was not a spur-of-the-moment decision but a conscious stand rooted in principle.

In an unprecedented scene at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night, Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, walked away with the Asia Cup trophy and the players’ medals. This shocking act followed India’s decision not to accept the silverware from him.

“Let me make this very clear — the Indian team’s decision was deliberate,” Devajit Saikia told CNN News18. “We had already communicated that we would not accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, because he is not just the ACC chairman but also a senior leader from Pakistan. For us, it is not possible to take an award from someone who represents a country that is openly hostile and waging war against India.”

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According to Saikia, the players were prepared to receive the trophy but only if a neutral ACC or match official presented it. However, once it became clear that Naqvi himself would handle the presentation, the squad unanimously chose to step aside. “That was not impulsive — it was a conscious and unanimous decision,” Saikia reiterated.

India had earlier dramatically sealed the final, defeating Pakistan in the last over to claim their ninth Asia Cup crown. Yet, the post-match controversy took a bizarre turn when Naqvi left the venue carrying not only the trophy but also the medals designated for the Indian team.

“Unfortunately, after the presentation, the gentleman walked away with the trophy and even the medals meant for our players. That is completely against sporting spirit and against ACC protocol,” Devajit Saikia revealed. He further stated that the BCCI would lodge a strong protest with the ACC and raise the matter at the upcoming ICC conference in November. “Such behaviour cannot be allowed to set a precedent. Cricket is about fair play, and this was anything but fair play.”

Drawing parallels with India’s military resolve, Saikia described the triumph as “Operation Killa.” He recalled the Indian armed forces’ “Operation Sindoor” against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack. “In the same way, our boys have delivered on the field against Pakistan. The message is the same: India wins, whether on the battlefield or the sports field,” he asserted.

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Even India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, expressed deep frustration at being denied the trophy. “I think this is one thing I have never seen since I started playing and following cricket — that a champion team is denied a trophy. And that too a hard-earned one. This win didn’t come easy; it was fought for every step of the way,” Surya told reporters.

The incident has left a bitter aftertaste in what should have been a night of unbridled celebration for Indian cricket.