India’s dominant campaign ends with record BCCI payout
India’s victorious run through the Asia Cup 2025 has been capped with a ₹21 crore (approx. US$2.38 million) cash prize from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a figure nearly ten times greater than the official winner’s purse.
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a tense final in Dubai, extending their unbeaten record in the tournament and securing a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title. Their 3-0 sweep over arch-rivals Pakistan throughout the tournament underscored the team’s dominance.
Celebrating the achievement, the BCCI posted on social media X (Formerly Twitter):
“Three blows. 0 response. Asia Cup Champions. Message delivered. (Rs) 21 crores prize money for the team and support staff.”
3 blows.
0 response.
Asia Cup Champions.
Message delivered. 🇮🇳21 crores prize money for the team and support staff. #AsiaCup2025 #INDvPAK #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/y4LzMv15ZC
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2025
The official Asia Cup prize pool had awarded ₹2.6 crore (approx. US$293.090K) to the winners and ₹1.3 crore (approx. US$146.545K) to the runners-up. The BCCI’s supplemental prize places India’s total rewards far beyond the tournament’s own payout structure.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the announcement to PTI, stating:
“It was (an) extraordinary victory and therefore as a part of celebrations, BCCI has announced a cash award of ₹21 crore (approx. US$ 2.4M) in favour of the players and the support staff who are part of the Indian team in the Asia Cup.”
While the BCCI did not disclose the individual breakdown of the prize, Saikia added:
“That money will be distributed and this is a big reward for our team and the Indian cricket board as well as the people of India. We are extremely proud of our cricketers and the support staff for their superb performance in Dubai.”
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla echoed the sentiments in a post on X:
“The undefeated champions of ASIA. Congratulations Team India on a dominating win and 3-0 against Pak. Marvellous display by Tilak Verma and @imkuldeep18. A great show under pressure.”
The undefeated champions of ASIA. Congratulations Team India on a dominating win and 3-0 against Pak. Marvellous display by Tilak Verma and @imkuldeep18 . A great show under pressure. @BCCI
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) September 28, 2025
Suryakumar Yadav donates match fees to armed forces
While India celebrated on the field, captain Suryakumar Yadav made headlines off it with a personal gesture that transcended cricket. Yadav announced he would donate his entire match fees from the tournament to the Indian Armed Forces and the families of those affected by the Pahalgam attack.
“I have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims who suffered from the Pahalgam terror attack. You always remain in my thoughts,” Yadav posted on X.
I have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims who suffered from the Pahalgam terror attack. You always remain in my thoughts 🙏🏽
Jai Hind 🇮🇳
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) September 28, 2025
In an interview with RevSportz, he reflected on the motivation behind the decision:
“The thought came all of a sudden when I was giving this whole series of events that happened throughout the course of this tournament a thought. I was having my food in the dressing room and it was very peaceful out there, so this was the thought that came to my mind. What more can I do about the things that are in my control? When I took a stand after the first game, similar thoughts were already there in my mind, so I just acted upon it when I could.”
Earlier in the tournament, following a group-stage win against Pakistan, Yadav had said in the post-match presentation:
“This is the perfect occasion to take the time out and say that we stand by the victims of the families of Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to put a smile on their face.”
India’s three wins over Pakistan were their first head-to-head matchups since the April attack, and subsequent military attack on Pakistan launched by India in May. The political context intensified the tournament’s significance.
India refuses to accept trophy from ACC chief
In a symbolic move, the Indian team declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. According to reports, Naqvi took the trophy back with him after the Indian team’s refusal to accept it.
Reflecting on the moment, Yadav said in a post-match media briefing after the final:
“I have never seen a champion (team) not getting a trophy. We deserved it. The real trophies are my 14 colleagues and they will stay in my memory.”
The Indian refusal was widely interpreted as a political statement, given Naqvi’s dual roles and the ongoing diplomatic tensions following the terror attack and India’s military response.
Praise for Modi after ‘Operation Sindoor’ post
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public congratulation following India’s win carried strong symbolism. Posting on X, he wrote:
“Operation Sindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.”
#OperationSindoor on the games field.
Outcome is the same – India wins!
Congrats to our cricketers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2025
Operation Sindoor, launched in May, was India’s military response to the April Pahalgam attack.
Yadav welcomed the Prime Minister’s praise in an interview with ANI, saying:
“It feels good when the country’s leader himself bats on the front foot; it felt like he took the strike and scored runs.”
He added:
“…When Sir (PM) is standing in front, then the players will automatically play freely… The most important thing is that the whole country is celebrating. When we go back (to India), it will feel even better, and we will get more inspiration and motivation to do well.”
Pakistan captain criticises handshake snub, alleges instructions form above
One of the more controversial aspects of the tournament was Suryakumar Yadav’s repeated refusal to shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, including after the final. Agha expressed his disapproval at the post-match press conference:
“Suryakumar Yadav did shake hands with me in the press conference at the start of the tournament and during the referee’s meeting as well. But then he didn’t do it when he came in front of the entire world. I guess he is following the instructions he has been given, which is fine.”
The moment added a layer of tension to an already politically charged tournament and highlighted the complex intersection of sport, national sentiment, and geopolitics.
