Indian players attacked by Indian legend for refusing trophy from Mohsin Naqvi
Published - 30 Sep 2025, 05:20 PM | Updated - 30 Sep 2025, 05:22 PM
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The 1983 World Cup winner Syed Kirmani has expressed deep disappointment over the state of modern-day cricket, saying the game has lost the grace and respect it once stood for. Speaking about the controversial Asia Cup 2025 final, Kirmani lamented the lack of sportsmanship and slammed India for dragging politics into the game.
The former India wicketkeeper revealed that he has been flooded with messages from friends and fans across the USA, UK, and UAE, questioning what has happened to the Indian cricket team and why politics has entered the field. He described the Asia Cup 2025 final as “disgusting.”
Right from the start of the Asia Cup 2025, the India-Pakistan rivalry was on top. In their group match, Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani players, and even Captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the seven-wicket victory to the Indian army and the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Syed Kirmani slams India’s conduct in Asia Cup 2025 Final, calls it ‘Disgusting’
And then in the Super Final, there were some heated exchanges between the players from both teams. Even Pakistani players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan made controversial gestures. But the big drama unfolded in the Asia Cup 2025 final. India refused to take the trophy from the ACC chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the PCB chief and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
Read Also: Mohsin Naqvi shares fresh demand for BCCI, schedules ceremony to hand Indian players Asia Cup trophy
The Indian team returned home without the trophy and the winner’s medals. Reacting to the controversy, the legendary cricketer said that he felt ashamed of whatever the Indian team did in the tournament. Kirmani stressed that what has happened at the Asia Cup is “disgusting.”
Syed Kirmani was quoted as saying by ANI, “There has been no gentleness in the game. There have been very rude, arrogant gestures on the field. I'm not referring to only the Asia Cup, which took place and which India won last night, I'm getting messages from all over. USA, UK, UAE. What has happened to the Indian cricket team? What kind of politics is going on in the field? These are the questions they are asking me. I'm ashamed myself to listen to the comments of my friends from outside India.”
Politics should not enter sports: Syed Kirmani
The former World Cup winner mentioned that he is unable to show the words and messages he received from his friends about the Men in Blue, saying it is very depressing to him. He warned that bringing politics into cricket is damaging the essence of the sport.
Kirmani urged players to keep personal or political agendas off the field and focus solely on the game. The former wicketkeeper slammed Suryakumar Yadav for donating his entire Asia Cup 2025 match fees to the Indian Army and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack after the final.
He added, “Politics should not enter sports in general. Leave politics behind. Whatever has transpired away from the sporting field, leave it there. Don't relate it to your winning amount or whatever you are earning from this great game of cricket. Don't dedicate it to noble causes or for flood relief or whatever. Any noble cause is quite understandable. But do not relate it to the politics.”
Syed Kirmani feels ashamed of the lost brotherhood in cricket
Reflecting on his own era, Kirmani recalled the camaraderie that once existed between Indian and Pakistani cricketers, when players from both sides shared meals, hospitality, and mutual respect despite the political tensions between their countries. He was disappointed at how the warmth and respect had vanished from the modern era.
Kirmani signed off by saying, “The comments which are coming from outside India—how should I reply to them? They're asking my reaction like you are asking my reaction. What sort of reaction should I have? I have to only put my head down as a cricketer. Being a family of cricketing fraternity.”
In our time, cricketers had such wonderful camaraderie. Pakistani players coming to India, we're going to Pakistan. What hospitality, what love, what affection... I'm ashamed to see the rude behaviour of current Indian players against Pakistan - Syed Kirmani
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) September 30, 2025
Not surprising! pic.twitter.com/qnNF9hjE6W
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