New Delhi, Sep 30 (NationPress) Former Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra has expressed support for the decision made by the team led by Suryakumar Yadav to refuse the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Mishra described this choice as a principled stand that embodies the integrity of the team and resonates with the feelings of the wider public in India.

In an exhilarating final held at the Dubai International Stadium, India triumphed over Pakistan by five wickets, claiming the continental title for the ninth time. The trophy presentation took over an hour to commence and concluded unusually, with the Indian team declining to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Despite not receiving the trophy or medals, the Indian players celebrated by pretending to hold the trophy. Later, Suryakumar announced during the post-tournament press conference that he would donate his match fees from the Asia Cup to the Indian armed forces.

“I stand with my Indian team. It was indeed the right decision. You know what’s significant? People often change their opinions about Pakistan, but that’s not the case in our country—India,” Mishra stated.

“They had previously declared that they would not take the trophy from Mr. Naqvi, and they honored that commitment. What could be more significant than this? I firmly believe that the entire nation will support this decision. I have no regrets, as true friendship can only begin after addressing the issues in one’s own country,” Mishra added in an exclusive discussion with IANS.

In the final, India successfully chased down a target of 147 runs with two balls remaining, largely due to Tilak Varma’s brilliant unbeaten 69 and a pivotal 60-run partnership with Shivam Dube. Needing 10 runs off the last over, Varma hit a six followed by Rinku Singh’s winning boundary over mid-on to secure a thrilling victory for India.

Kuldeep Yadav’s impressive figures of 4-30 caused Pakistan’s collapse, reducing them from 113/1 to 146 all out, earning him the title of the tournament’s top wicket-taker with a total of 17 wickets. Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Tournament, amassing 314 runs as an opener at a strike rate of 200.

Mishra expressed great admiration for young Varma’s poise under pressure. “I am elated. I believe the entire nation shares this joy following the victory. Moreover, the gestures exhibited by the Indian team must have brought happiness to everyone’s hearts.” He also emphasized the significance of Varma’s performance over Kuldeep’s, stating, “While Kuldeep bowled excellently, Varma's ability to navigate the match in challenging times was remarkable, especially against Pakistan.”

Looking forward to India’s defense of the T20 World Cup title in 2026, Mishra underscored the importance of young players stepping up during high-pressure situations and commended the IPL for equipping players to handle such pressures.

“There are many matches ahead. Several tournaments will take place. The performance of our youngsters is crucial in building a strong team, especially when facing Pakistan and achieving victories,” he noted.

As India prepares for challenging bilateral T20I series, starting with a tour of Australia, followed by home matches against South Africa and New Zealand, Mishra emphasized the need for youngsters to meet the evolving expectations of the game to sustain their places in the Indian team.

“Young players must perform during challenging times. The current Indian team is rising to the occasion, and it’s vital for upcoming talented players to understand that they need to perform when the team requires it,” he concluded.