India’s emphatic win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final was supposed to be a moment of unbridled joy and celebration. However, what unfolded after the match left players and fans baffled. The Indian team waited nearly an hour for the winner’s trophy that never arrived. Young batter Tilak Varma has now opened up about the chaotic post-match scenes, revealing how the team kept their spirits high and eventually improvised their own celebration.
An hour of waiting for Asia Cup title
Tilak, speaking on Breakfast with Champions, shared that the team lingered on the ground long after the final whistle, waiting in vain for the presentation ceremony.
“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 down. Arshdeep Singh was busy making reels. We were just waiting, thinking the trophy would come anytime now. But it never showed up,” Tilak said.
The players, still charged with post-match adrenaline, were reportedly confused as officials provided no clear explanation. For a moment that should have symbolized their dominance in the tournament, the absence of the trophy left an awkward void on the field.
Laughter amidst the chaos by Arshdeep Singh
Despite the bizarre situation, the Indian dressing room found ways to keep morale high. Tilak revealed how Arshdeep Singh turned the situation into a source of amusement.
“Arshdeep was making reels, everyone was joking around. We were trying to keep the mood light because nobody knew what was going on,” he said with a laugh.
The episode reflected the camaraderie and youthful energy within the squad. Instead of letting frustration take over, the players made the best of an absurd situation — a trait that has often defined India’s new generation of cricketers.
Tilak Varma reveals how India began their own celebrations
After waiting nearly an hour, it became clear that the official presentation would not happen. That’s when Arshdeep suggested the team improvise.
“Arshdeep said, ‘Let’s create an atmosphere ourselves. We’ll celebrate just like we did after the T20 World Cup — only without the trophy.’ Abhishek Sharma and a few others agreed immediately, and that’s what we did,” Tilak explained.
The players formed a circle, cheered, and even mimed lifting an invisible trophy — turning disappointment into a moment of shared laughter.
While the players took the situation in stride, reports later hinted at a deeper controversy behind the missing trophy. According to sources, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chair and PCB head Mohsin Naqvi allegedly wanted to personally hand over the trophy to the Indian team. However, after India reportedly declined, Naqvi is said to have ordered the trophy and medals to be removed from the venue.
