Kapil Dev, a former Indian captain, rebuked his own team and board following the Asia Cup 2025 final
Following the Asia Cup 2025 final, cricket icon Kapil Dev—the man behind India’s very first World Cup in 1983—has sent a stern message to his nation’s cricketing fraternity: separate sports from politics. His comments come in the wake of the Indian team being deluged with criticism for not shaking hands with Pakistani players and for not accepting the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
Kapil Dev, in an interview with India Today, reminded the players and the media that cricket needs to be insulated from political controversies. “My only request is that both the players and the media have a responsibility to keep sports separate from politics. As a player, I would like us to focus on the game—that would be much better,” he emphasized.
The Trophy Controversy That Overshadowed the Final
India’s 5-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final should have been a time of celebration, but it was tainted by controversy. After the game, the Indian team didn’t accept the winners’ trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, and this act was greeted with widespread criticism from fans, media, and former cricketers.
The closing ceremony was delayed for 45 minutes with players refusing to get onto the ground, looking clearly averse to taking part. Later on, they celebrated without the medals and official trophies—a move Ravi Shastri, a former Indian coach and commentator, has called “disgusting.” He also mentioned that the fans, having waited nervously to celebrate their team’s triumph, were disappointed by the players’ intransigence.
Sportsmanship or Standoff?
The occurrence was not unique. During the group stage encounter on September 14, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav hogged headlines for his refusal to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha during the toss. The cold shoulder lasted after the game, raising the tension stakes for the rest of the tournament.
In the decider, this trend was carried further when the team collectively rejected the ceremony of presentation. Yadav afterward explained that it was decided on the ground by the players themselves, an explanation which did not satisfy the increasing condemnation.
Kapil Dev, on the other hand, was unequivocal: “Shaking hands is not a big deal when the government has given permission to play,” he said, emphasizing that the gesture of sportsmanship must not be lost for political showmanship.
When Rivalries Cross the Line
India and Pakistan have never had one of the most intense rivalries in global cricket, often spilling onto the political discourse. Competition may energize, but cricketing idols like Kapil Dev are now warning not to let politics sully the game’s soul.
By refusing to accept trophies and breaking long-held traditions of respect, critics argue the Indian team undermined the values of sportsmanship that cricket has stood for over a century. “You acted for 45 minutes, while the fans waited. This was not just poor sportsmanship—it was arrogance,” said Ravi Shastri in a scathing commentary.
The Call for Reflection
The final of the Asia Cup 2025 will be etched not just in the memory for the outcome but for the aftermath of the controversy. Kapil Dev’s voice lends gravitas to the emerging opinion that cricket needs to go back to being a unifier and not a political tool.
With millions of fans worldwide listening in to India-Pakistan matches, the onus on players to be ambassadors of peace and sportsmanship is even more immense. With priorities skewed towards politics over the game, the Indian team stands to lose the respect of the very fans who rejoice in their triumphs.
Kapil Dev’s words are a reminder of what cricket is all about: competition, respect, and coming together. Politics can still influence bilateral relations, but in the world of cricket, the philosophy of sportsmanship should take centre stage.
If India’s cricket board and players really want to respect their triumphs, they must hearken to their ex-captain: put sport ahead of politics, respect the game, and respect fans.
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