Even after winning the Asia Cup, the Indian cricketers were unable to touch their trophy — quite literally. The moment that should have been one of celebration turned controversial when Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi reportedly walked away from the presentation ceremony with the trophy, preventing players from even holding it. The incident sparked a diplomatic stir between the Indian and Pakistani cricket boards.
Now, after India’s T20 series victory over Australia, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has reignited the controversy with a pointed remark aimed squarely at Naqvi.
Saturday’s final T20I at the Gabba in Brisbane was washed out by rain, but India secured a 2–1 series win thanks to earlier victories. This marked India’s third consecutive T20 series triumph over Australia, further strengthening their dominance in the format.
Speaking after the presentation, Surya quipped,
“Finally, I got to touch a trophy! It feels amazing. The moment I held it, I felt something special.”
His light-hearted yet unmistakably barbed comment was instantly recognised by fans and media as a clever jab at the ACC chief.
The Indian skipper also took a moment to celebrate the recent triumph of the Indian women’s team, who won their own World Cup title.
“A few days ago, another trophy came home — our women’s team brought the World Cup back to India. That trophy, too, reached the country safely. It’s a wonderful feeling. Winning trophies and actually getting to hold them is a great joy,” he said with a grin.
Looking ahead to next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, which will be hosted on home soil, Surya reflected on his team’s preparation:
“I wouldn’t say we’re fully ready yet. You can never be completely prepared. But the way the team bounced back after losing the first match shows our character. The bowling unit knew exactly what needed to be done. We have two or three more series before the World Cup, and those matches will help us fine-tune our squad.”
With another series win, a buoyant dressing room, and Surya’s trademark humour lighting up the post-match chatter, Team India’s build-up to the World Cup looks both confident and entertaining — with just the right hint of spice.