Celebrities cheer as India beats Pakistan to lift ninth Asia Cup title in Dubai

Team India clinched their ninth Asia Cup crown in Dubai on Sunday night, defeating Pakistan by five wickets in a gripping T20 final. The contest swung dramatically from one side to the other before Tilak Varma’s calm half-century and Shivam Dube’s late fireworks sealed the game in the final over.

As soon as the winning runs were struck, social media lit up with a flood of posts. From Bollywood icons to South Indian superstars, congratulatory messages poured in for the Men in Blue.

Celebrity reactions

Sidharth Malhotra was among the first to salute the victory. “What a match tonight! India showed grit, fire & heart. Unbeaten champions! You make us all proud #indvspak2025 #AsiaCupFinal,” he wrote.

Amitabh Bachchan added his voice in Hindi, posting: “??? ??? !! 🇮🇳🇮🇳 .. well played 'Abhishek Bachchan' .. ??? ????? ????????, ?? ???, ???? batting bowling fielding ???, ??????? ???? ?????? ?? !! ?? ?????! ?? ????! ?? ??? ?????? !!!!”

Preity Zinta credited the trio of Tilak, Shivam, and Kuldeep Yadav for the thrilling finish, while Riteish Deshmukh kept it short with: “Tilak on the forehead !!! Jai Hind.”

Mollywood legend Mammootty praised India’s unbeaten campaign, noting, “Team India didn't just win the Asia Cup, they owned it. Champions without a single defeat. Absolutely magnificent!” Vijay Deverakonda celebrated Tilak Varma’s composure, writing, “Indiaaaaaaaaa. Our Boy killed it.”

Others too joined in. Vivek Oberoi praised the fighting spirit: “Saamne koi bhi ho, Bhaarat TILAK lagaakar hi ghar bhejega… shoutout to @imkuldeep18 for the 4 wickets… Proud to be #AsiaCup #Champions!” Anil Kapoor posted simply, “India Zindabad.” Anupam Kher shared a video shouting, “???? ???? ?? ??!” PV Sindhu, Ali Fazal and Ranvir Shorey also applauded the win.

Match highlights

Pakistan’s bowlers looked sharp at the start, pegging India back with early breakthroughs. But Kuldeep Yadav’s four wickets in the middle overs flipped the game, halting Pakistan’s momentum. Then came Tilak Varma’s composed 50 and Shivam Dube’s explosive hitting at the death. Together, they carried India to a famous victory that once again underlined the intensity of the India-Pakistan rivalry.

For Indian cricket, this night belonged not only to the senior names but also to emerging players who proved they can handle the weight of a high-pressure final.

Trophy controversy

India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph ended on an unusual and unprecedented note as the winners’ trophy was not presented to the team. The Indian players refused to accept the silverware from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi, creating a tense situation at the Dubai stadium. Reports stated that the presentation ceremony was delayed for nearly an hour. When Naqvi appeared on stage, the Indian squad remained back, making it clear they would not take the trophy from him. Although Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni was present, Naqvi did not allow the handover. Eventually, the trophy was removed from the stage, leaving the champions to celebrate without it — a rare occurrence in major cricket tournaments.

Fans in the stands voiced their displeasure, booing Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha while chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” Sources confirmed that India had already informed organisers of their stance, which aligned with earlier decisions to skip handshakes and pre-toss photos with Pakistan. Naqvi remained on stage but left embarrassed, marking a dramatic and first-of-its-kind finish to the Asia Cup final.

What this means

India’s ninth Asia Cup win added another high point to the country’s cricketing legacy. Yet, the post-match standoff overshadowed the celebrations. For many, the sight of players refusing the trophy was as striking as their last-over triumph.

On the field, India’s unbeaten run and the emergence of Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube as match-winners suggest a strong future. Off the field, the trophy controversy has opened a new chapter in the India-Pakistan cricketing narrative — one that extends far beyond the scoreboard.