India's victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final sparked celebrations both on and off the field, marked by unique reactions from the Indian players. India secured their ninth Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling final.
The celebrations commenced with subtle gestures during the match. After taking a wicket, some Indian players playfully mimicked the celebration style of Pakistani bowler Abrar Ahmed. This light-hearted imitation added a layer of camaraderie and friendly rivalry to the intense competition.
However, the most talked-about reaction came after the match. The Indian team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Reports suggested that the team was not comfortable receiving the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's interior minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. This unprecedented decision led to a delay in the presentation ceremony.
Despite the controversy, the Indian players did not let it dampen their spirits. Instead, they found a unique way to celebrate their victory. Following the presentation, the team gathered and posed for pictures with a "fake" trophy. This symbolic gesture allowed them to commemorate their achievement while making a statement about the circumstances surrounding the trophy presentation. Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates cheered with a mock trophy as they celebrated their ninth Asia Cup title.
Individual players also took to social media to express their joy and share celebratory moments with fans. Tilak Varma, who played a crucial role in the victory with his unbeaten 69, shared pictures of the team celebrating in the dressing room. Rinku Singh, who hit the winning runs, posted a message thanking the fans for their support. Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, was seen slamming a table in excitement as Tilak Varma's six set up Rinku Singh's winning boundary.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also celebrated the victory with a social media post, announcing a 21 crore prize money for the team and support staff.
The celebrations extended beyond the cricket field, with celebrities and fans joining in the excitement. Amitabh Bachchan, Sidharth Malhotra, and other stars congratulated the team on social media.
India's journey to the Asia Cup title was marked by dominant performances throughout the tournament. In the final, Kuldeep Yadav's exceptional bowling (4/30) restricted Pakistan to a modest total of 146. Tilak Varma's brilliant half-century (69*) then guided India to victory. India chased 147 with two balls to spare. Varma remained unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls, while Shivam Dube added a quick 33 off 22, sharing a crucial 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
