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Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has launched a scathing attack on India over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy row, stating that ‘Politics should stay aside’.
Expressing his views on the controversy that followed after the final, he emphasized the difference between sport and politics.
“Team India sort of weren’t happy with who was handing out the trophy. I don’t feel that belongs in sports. Politics should stay aside. Sport is one thing, and it should be celebrated for what it is,” he said.
“Quite sad to see that, but hopefully they sort things out in the future. It does put the sport, the players, the sportsmen, the cricketers in a very tough position, and that’s what I hate to see. It was quite awkward there at the end,” he continued.
He further stated: “I hate seeing this—ultimately it left a very bad impression.”
However, De Villiers praised India’s dominant performance and mentioned the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka.
“Let’s focus on what’s most important (the cricket itself). India are looking really, really strong. Building up to that big T20 World Cup. Remember, it’s not too far away. And they look like they’ve got a lot of talent, and they play the big moments well. So fantastic (to watch),” De Villiers said.
For context, the Asia Cup 2025 controversy saw India and Pakistan’s political relations overshadowing cricket for the entire length of the tournament.
India went on to lift the title unbeaten after defeating Pakistan. Yet, what grabbed the spotlight on social media was the lack of handshakes or gestures on the field.
The drama peaked at the end of the Asia Cup final, when the presentation ceremony began an hour late. The delay was caused by India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Due to this, the Indian team celebrated the triumph without the silverware with skipper Suryakumar Yadav mimicking the trophy in his hands.
READ: BCCI official says ‘no assurance’ of handshake in India–Pakistan Women’s WC clash
