After defeating Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, Team India refused to accept the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi.
Following the incident, former Team India cricketer, Syed Kirmani, has expressed disappointment by saying there has been no “gentleman-ness” in the game.
“The way cricket is being played all around…, there has been no gentleman-ness in the game. There have been very rude, arrogant gestures on the field… I`m getting messages from all over… The Indian team has done what? What politics is going on in the field?… I`m ashamed to listen to the comments… What`s happened to the current era of cricketers… What has happened at the Asia Cup is disgusting,” Kirmani told ANI.
The former cricketer also said that the things going on in cricket are depressing for him and stated that politics should not enter sports in general.
“These are the words that have come onto my messages… It is very depressing to me the way things are going on in the sporting field, particularly in cricket… It is not the right thing that has happened. Politics should not enter sports in general… Leave politics behind. Whatever has transpired away from the sporting field, leave it there itself. Don`t relate it to your winning amount or whatever you are earning from this great game of cricket,” added the 75-year-old former cricketer.
Later, following the triumph, Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav, during a post-match press conference, said that he will be donating all of his Asia Cup 2025 match fees to the Indian Armed Forces and the families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Expressing his views on Suryakumar`s decision, Kirmani said dedicating the tournament`s fees to a noble cause is understandable, but do not relate it to politics.
“Don`t dedicate it to noble causes… Any noble cause, quite understandable, but do not relate it to the politics,” he said.
He also added that during his playing days, the players used to share a good bond, even with the Pakistani cricketers.
“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 have to put my head down as a cricketer,” concluded the veteran of 88 Test matches.
(With ANI Inputs)