After the series of controversies around the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, former India captain Kapil DEV insisted on leaving behind the case with the players of his country, and emphasized that the solving of political issues should be left to politicians.
His comments came after the Indian cricketers sent the gentlemen’s game from the start of the tournament, from handshake snub to falling trophy transfer from Mohsin Naqvi, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman, who also goes on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Talk about India TodayDev, who leaded India to World Cup Glory in 1983, said that, although it was of course that players have feelings for their country, such emotions should not prevent sportiness on the field.
“Shaking hands is not big. You have not shaken hands; it doesn’t matter. You have also announced that you don’t want to take the trophy from that man. That’s fine too.”
He added: “But you can’t linger for things like this. You have to end up, you have to go on. Let the government do that work, let the politician do that work.”
The ex-cricketer insisted that both parties should strive to solve problems.
For media items, DEV was of the opinion: “I just want to say – your responsibility and responsibility for the entire media, we also have to look in the sports side instead of looking at the political side.”
“Yes, the media have the responsibility to put everything on the table, but as a sportsman I would like to see that we are keeping to sports. It will be much better,” he added.
This year’s continental cricket tournament was marred by many controversies after captains refused a usual handshake during three meetings.
The handshake snub came to the final in the background of a constant row between the arch rivals, which emerged from the group stage collision, which attracted a lot of attention both on and outside the field.
The selection framework ended with another controversy when the Indian cricket team refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Naqvi.
Allegedly the move came into the guidelines of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after India was beating the Asia Cup champions by Pakistan in the tournamentinal in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium a day ago.
The ceremony after the game was closed without a transfer to the men in blue.
