India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t resist a witty remark about the Asia Cup trophy incident after India secured the T20I series against Australia. The five-match series concluded with India holding a 2-1 lead after the final game in Brisbane on November 8th was called off due to rain. This series win extends India’s remarkable 13-year unbeaten run in T20 international series on Australian soil.
During the post-series press conference, when asked about the feeling of winning a trophy, Suryakumar offered a playful response that alluded to the Asia Cup trophy controversy, where the trophy was not physically handed over to the Indian team. “It feels great to finally get to touch the trophy. Felt it in my hands when I was handed over the trophy for the series victory. A few days back another trophy arrived in India, our women’s team has won the World Cup. That trophy has also arrived back home. It feels great and getting to touching this trophy as well feels good,” he commented. His statement is seen as a lighthearted jab at Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who did not present the Asia Cup trophy post India’s victory, resulting in the trophy remaining at the Asian Cricket Council headquarters in Dubai.
Meanwhile, significant progress is being reported in resolving the Asia Cup trophy dispute. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that discussions between the BCCI and PCB have been positive, following a direct meeting in Dubai, the first since the issue emerged. Saikia noted that although the Asia Cup matter wasn’t on the official ICC meeting agenda, the ICC facilitated an informal discussion. “It was really good to start the process of negotiation. Both sides cordially participated in the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the ICC board meeting. Definitely, in the coming times, if things go in a positive way, the issue will be sorted at the earliest,” Saikia told PTI. The Asia Cup trophy’s current location is the ACC office in Dubai, with reports indicating Mohsin Naqvi has instructed that it not be moved without his personal authorization. This follows his earlier stipulation that the trophy must be handed over by him to the Indian players, a condition that was declined by Suryakumar and the team.