Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, after guiding India to a rip-roaring Asia Cup win over Pakistan, announced that he will donate his entire match fee from the tournament to the Indian Armed Forces and the families affected by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Suryakumar Yadav to donate Asia Cup match fee to Indian Army
“I have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims who suffered from the Pahalgam terror attack. You always remain in my thoughts. Jai Hind,” Suryakumar posted on X. Reportedly, each Indian player earns ₹4 lakh per T20 game. Having played all seven matches in the tournament, Yadav will be donating a total of ₹28 lakh.
India’s victory over Pakistan
India clinched the Asia Cup title on Sunday night in Dubai with a five-wicket win over Pakistan. This marked India’s third straight win against their neighbours in the tournament. Tilak Varma played a crucial role, scoring a steady half-century, while Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube made important contributions to secure India’s second T20I Asia Cup title and ninth overall, including ODI editions.
India refuses to accept trophy from ACC chairman
Post victory, the Indian cricket team refused to collect their medals and the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head. The Indian players were ready to take the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board Vice Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, but Naqvi didn’t agree. As the wait kept getting longer, officials finally took the trophy away.
The presentation ceremony, which was delayed by over an hour due to Pakistan’s late arrival, ended abruptly. Broadcaster Simon Doull announced live on air: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”
Earlier in the tournament, India had also refused to shake hands with Pakistan players, leading to Pakistan raising the matter with the ICC, followed by some provocative gestures by Pak players.
Suryakumar expresses disappointment
Reacting to the unusual ending, Suryakumar said he had never seen a champion side being denied their trophy. “This is something I have never seen in all my years of playing and following cricket. A champion team was denied a trophy, and it was a hard-earned one. We played two strong games on back-to-back days. I felt we truly deserved it. I do not want to say much more,” he told reporters.
He added that trophies aren’t everything: “If you ask me about trophies, I have 14 of them in my dressing room. The players and the support staff are the real trophies. I have been a big admirer of them throughout this Asia Cup journey. Those are the real memories I am taking back, and they will stay with me forever.”
The team later celebrated on the field without medals or the cup, with Suryakumar recreating ex-captain Rohit Sharma’s famous World Cup victory walk, fireworks lighting up the background.