TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: India captain
Suryakumar Yadav made a heartfelt gesture after leading his side to the Asia Cup 2025 title, announcing that he would donate his entire match fees from the tournament to the
Indian armed forces.
The skipper also did not mince words in expressing his disappointment with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for denying the champions their trophy despite a hard-fought campaign.
“I think this is one thing I have never seen. Since I started playing and following cricket, a champion team being denied a trophy. That too a hard-earned one,” Suryakumar said after India’s five-wicket win over
Pakistan in the final at the Dubai International Stadium.
India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating Pakistan thrice, including in the final. But the absence of the trophy presentation left a sour note amid the celebrations.
“For me, the real trophies are sitting in the dressing room — my 14 teammates and the support staff. They are the reason we won this title. Still, a team winning a hard-fought tournament and not getting a trophy is something I have never seen,” he added.
Suryakumar Yadav of India (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
On the off-field developments, the Indian captain said it did not affect his captaincy.
"I feel it was not that difficult. The boys took it in their stride. They were really happy with the way the campaign was going.
"Since day one I have been telling them only one thing: Let's just focus on cricket on the ground. And when we go to the practice sessions, let's enjoy what we are doing. Do the same things that we want to do in the game.
"I think the boys took it in a positive way. I feel unbeaten in the tournament, the boys stepped up whenever needed. I think those are the small moments, small trophies, which we won going forward into the World Cup year.
"And as I said earlier also, I have never seen this — a team winning a hard-earned tournament and not getting a trophy. We can't say we were disappointed. But if you see, we had a lot of smiles on our faces as we were on the ground enjoying the moment on the podium," he said.
The India skipper also opened up about his own batting form, brushing aside talk of being “out of form.”
“I don’t think I am out of form; I am out of runs. I believe in my preparations. In matches, things go on autopilot. God is watching, and if you keep doing well, everything comes on time,” he said.
Capping off his press conference with a surprise announcement, Suryakumar revealed: “As a gesture, I want to donate my match fees from all the games in this tournament to the
Indian Army. I don’t know if people will call it controversial, but for me, it’s the right thing to do.”
Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here Pratyush Raj is a cricket journalist with TOI Sports, specializin...
Read MorePratyush Raj is a cricket journalist with TOI Sports, specializing in all things cricket, both on and off the field. He began his career with the Business Standard before following his passion as a sports reporter for the Times of India in Chandigarh. Pratyush has also contributed to the sports coverage of India Today Group and his last stint was with The Indian Express. His love for sports was nurtured during his upbringing in flood-prone Saharsa, a district in North Bihar, where Cricket Samrat was his constant companion.
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