At the CEAT Cricket Awards, India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy revealed that it was Arshdeep Singh who came up with the idea of India’s now-iconic “imaginary trophy lift” after the Asia Cup final controversy. The moment, which went viral across social media, took place when the Indian team was denied the actual trophy following their win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final.
The bizarre situation unfolded during the presentation ceremony, when players waited on stage but no trophy or medals were brought out for the winners. Reports later confirmed that the incident occurred due to disagreements between the Asian Cricket Council officials and the local organizers. Standing awkwardly under the floodlights, the Indian players decided to make a point in their own way.
Chakaravarthy shared that Arshdeep Singh broke the silence first. “We were all waiting for the trophy, but it never came. Arshdeep just said, ‘Let’s lift it ourselves,’ and the rest of us followed,” he said, recalling the moment with laughter. “It was spontaneous — the only cup near me was a coffee cup.”
What began as a lighthearted reaction soon turned symbolic. Captain Suryakumar Yadav led the gesture by pretending to hoist the invisible trophy, and the rest of the team joined in unison. The visual quickly spread across media platforms and became a rallying image of defiance and unity. Fans celebrated the act as a statement of pride — that India didn’t need a physical trophy to validate their victory.
The celebration also carried undertones of protest against what many perceived as administrative mishandling. While officials later apologized for the logistical lapse, the incident had already taken on a life of its own. The image of the Indian team smiling, hands raised with nothing in them, was seen by many as a display of self-respect and confidence amid adversity.
Chakaravarthy’s revelation adds context to what appeared to be a rehearsed or coordinated act. In truth, it was a spontaneous decision born from frustration and humor, reflecting the team’s camaraderie and composure under an awkward situation. “It was all in good spirit,” he added. “We wanted to show that our joy isn’t dependent on a trophy.”
The “trophy-less lift” has since become one of the most memorable post-match moments in recent cricket history, drawing both admiration and amusement from players and fans around the world. It underlined India’s ability to turn a moment of confusion into one of pride and unity — and credited Arshdeep Singh as the creative spark behind a gesture that perfectly captured the team’s spirit.
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