Tilak Varma Reveals India Waited One Hour for Asia Cup Trophy, Celebrated Victory Without it

Indian cricketer Tilak Varma has unveiled intriguing behind-the-scenes details from the dramatic conclusion of the Asia Cup 2025 final, where India clinched a thrilling five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24, 2025, at this neutral venue. Varma's match-winning 69 off 53 balls steered Suryakumar Yadav's side to the title, but the post-match ceremony turned contentious when the team refused to accept the winner's trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, a former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman. The standoff delayed proceedings by nearly an hour amid tense negotiations between Naqvi and Indian officials, ultimately leading to Naqvi departing with the trophy unpresented—a moment that amplified ongoing frictions in South Asian cricket governance.

In a candid interview on the podcast "Breakfast with Champions", Varma revealed that the Indian squad lingered on the field for a full hour, growing increasingly baffled by the missing hardware. "We were actually waiting at the ground for one hour. If you look at the TV visuals, you'll see that I was lying on the ground. The rest were also lying on the ground. Arshdeep Singh was busy making reels. We were just waiting, and we were thinking, ‘The trophy will come anytime now.' It was one hour, and the trophy was nowhere to be found," he recounted. The players scanned the venue in vain, their anticipation turning to improvisation as fatigue set in under the Dubai lights.

With no resolution in sight, the team pivoted to a spontaneous celebration echoing the joyous T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, minus the silverware. "Arshdeep said, Let's create an atmosphere. He said we should just celebrate in the same fashion as the T20 World Cup in 2024, minus the trophy. Abhishek Sharma, we, along with 5-6 more people, then gave our nod for the same. Then we went ahead with it," Varma shared, highlighting the camaraderie that defined the moment. This DIY jubilation not only masked the awkwardness but also resonated with fans, underscoring India's unyielding spirit despite administrative hurdles—a recurring theme in ACC events marred by scheduling disputes and perceived biases favouring Pakistan.

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Reflecting on his pivotal knock, Varma tempered his heroics with humility, acknowledging the fine margins of high-stakes cricket. "We were confident, but cricket is a funny game. If you are playing a big tournament like the Asia Cup or the World Cup, and there's a day when you don't play to your potential, then it's over. But the way in which I played against Pakistan in the final, I cannot play in the same fashion in every match," he admitted. As India basks in continental glory, the trophy row reignites calls for ACC reforms, with Varma's revelations adding a human touch to a saga that blends on-field excellence with off-field intrigue.

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