Suryakumar Yadav, India T20I captain, replied to the Asia Cup trophy issue after their five-wicket victory against Pakistan in the final, noting that the team’s main goal was to play good cricket and win. He emphasized that whether or not they earned the award was unimportant, and that seeing cheerful faces at home was the true prize for the team.
After defeating Pakistan in the summit battle, the Indian team declined to take the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chief Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Asian Cricket Council, and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
After a 90-minute delay, India spinner Kuldeep Yadav, opener Abhishek Sharma, and batter Tilak Varma were presented with separate prizes by other guests onstage. When Naqvi took the dais, the Indian team made it clear that they would not accept the trophy from him. Moments thereafter, the trophy was stolen from the location, leaving the champions with no award.
Suryakumar told NDTV that he thought the incident spoke volumes. Our primary goal was to win matches and play good cricket. It doesn’t really matter whether the award arrived or not. The smiles on people’s faces back home are our prize.
“What matters is that my country is joyful, and we’re celebrating. We have billboards in our name proclaiming that we are the Asia Cup Champions. “What else do you need?”
The victory in the final was India’s third over Pakistan in 15 days, a feat no Indian captain had accomplished before Suryakumar, who believes it was “destined” to happen.
“Winning 3-0 was fantastic. The boys put up an incredible show. They delivered everything I anticipated of them. All of our discussions with them – right here in this team room – have all been fruitful, and I’m quite pleased. Never faced them three times in a single event. “It was bound to happen,” the Indian captain stated.
Suryakumar, when asked how he handles the opposition’s confrontational acts, responded, “I believe there is a difference between the two sides. We all wanted to play this game with respect, therefore we never made any obscene gestures. We simply wanted to make a nice statement out there while playing a decent style of cricket, regardless of the outcome, which can go either way when you play.”
“When one returns from a match, there should be a sense of accomplishment in knowing that they put in their best effort on the field. I constantly telling my boys that we shouldn’t get distracted from the game. Follow the scenario and the game, putting emotions aside,” he added.
Read More
Asia Cup: Prior to Pakistan’s match in the final, India’s “fielding woes” are in the spotlight