Kaif Ansari - Thursday, Oct 02, 2025Image Source: X
AB de Villiers reacts to Asia Cup trophy controversy, find out what he said: Following India's victory in the Asia Cup 2025 final, the trophy presentation ceremony grabbed more headlines than the cricket itself. The Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Pakistan's Home Minister. This incident sparked a major controversy. Naqvi then took the trophy and medals to his hotel room. South African legend AB de Villiers has strongly reacted to the entire incident.
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On his YouTube channel, de Villiers stated that he was saddened to see politics overshadowing sports. He stated bluntly, "Team India was unhappy with who was presenting the trophy, but that's part of politics and should be kept away from the game. Cricket is a celebration, and it should be treated as such. It was a very strange situation, and I didn't like seeing the players in such a dilemma."
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Tensions between India and Pakistan impacted cricket throughout the tournament. India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final to win the title, but the real headlines were the refusal to shake hands, the players' gestures, and the trophy controversy. This issue sparked debate on social media, with varying opinions.
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However, de Villiers also praised Team India's T20 preparations. He said that India currently appears to be a very balanced team and is fully prepared for next year's T20 World Cup. De Villiers said, "Let's focus on the real thing: cricket. India looks fantastic. They have a lot of talent and are performing well on big occasions. It's great to see."
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Despite this Asia Cup being surrounded by controversies, India did not lose a single match and remained unbeaten, winning the title. This is a great testament to the team's confidence and strength. Pakistan, once on track for a big score, was bundled out for 146 before India secured victory in the final over. Rinku Singh hit the winning boundary.
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