Suryakumar Yadav Dedicates Asia Cup Triumph to Indian Army with Match Fee Donation
India's cricket captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has made a commitment to donate his entire match fee from the Asia Cup 2025 to the Indian Army. This gesture is in honor of the team's challenging victory over Pakistan, which he has dedicated to the nation's soldiers.
The Indian team secured their ninth Asia Cup championship with a five-wicket win in Dubai. However, the victory was overshadowed by an unusual controversy during the post-match presentation. The team declined to accept the trophy from Pakistan's Interior Minister and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who insisted on presenting it himself.
The presentation ceremony experienced delays, with only individual awards being distributed. Although India was prepared to receive the trophy from Khalid Al Zarooni, vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, Naqvi prevented this, resulting in the champions leaving the field without the trophy—an unprecedented occurrence in cricket history.
Reflecting on the incident, Yadav remarked at the press conference, “This is one thing I have never seen since I started playing cricket – that a champion team is denied a trophy. It was a hard-earned tournament, and we deserved to hold it.”
Addressing the controversy, Yadav further stated, “If you ask me about trophies, my trophies are in the dressing room – the 14 players and the support staff who stood with me throughout this journey. They are the real trophies I will cherish forever.”
In response to the team's achievement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a reward of ₹21 crore for the players and support staff, acknowledging their success in the Asia Cup.
India's decisive victory over Pakistan, along with Suryakumar's tribute to the armed forces, has resonated emotionally with fans at home. Meanwhile, the ongoing trophy controversy continues to spark discussions within the cricketing community.
