WATCH | The post-match pranks: India players' cheeky social media digs after Asia Cup victory over Pakistan

Dubai: India’s Asia Cup triumph over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday was followed by high drama on and off the field, with players taking subtle digs at their arch-rivals and a controversial fallout during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Chasing 147 in the final, India was in early trouble at 20/3, but Tilak Varma held firm with a gritty unbeaten 69 off 53 balls, steering the world champions to a five-wicket win. Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube provided crucial support as India secured yet another continental crown.

The celebrations, however, carried an undercurrent of rivalry. Arshdeep Singh, alongside Jitesh Sharma and Harshit Rana, mimicked Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed’s iconic celebration in a video that went viral. Hardik Pandya, who missed the final, posted a picture featuring a fake trophy, a meme that originated after chaos delayed the presentation ceremony. Vice-captain Shubman Gill joined in by sharing a photo with Abhishek Sharma, adding a virtual trophy image between them. Varun Chakaravarthy also chipped in to take the trend forward but with a cup.

Abhishek, named the tournament’s top run-scorer, took a veiled shot at his on-field verbal duel with Haris Rauf by writing, “Wins make the loudest noise, always.” Tilak echoed the sentiment with his post: “Talking is easy, winning takes character.”

The real controversy unfolded during the trophy presentation. With the stage delayed for over an hour, Indian players received only their individual awards before the ceremony abruptly concluded. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later confirmed that India had refused to collect the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman and Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Saikia alleged foul play, saying India will lodge a formal protest at the upcoming ICC conference in Dubai. “We decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who also serves as a leader in Pakistan. But it is unfortunate and unsportsmanlike that the trophy has not been handed to us. We expect it to be returned at the earliest,” he said.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav voiced his disappointment, telling reporters, “I have never seen something like this before. A champion team being denied a trophy on the night of victory is unheard of. But for me, the real trophies are inside the dressing room: the players and the support staff who made this title possible.”

With inputs from ANI