'The cup can be taken away, but...': Varun Chakravarthy breaks silence on Asia Cup trophy controversy

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy shared his take on the Asia Cup trophy controversy weeks after the Men in Blue's victory over Pakistan in the final. Despite their well-deserved win in the final, the Indian team did not receive the Asia Cup trophy during the post-match ceremony and had to go back to their hotel empty-handed. This was due to the fact that they had refused to take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is the chairman of both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Suryakumar Yadav & Co. are yet to receive the trophy.

Chakravarthy has now broken his silence on the matter, confidently stating that he knew that they would win all their games in the tournament and would go on to win the final as well. He further said that even though the cup may haven't been given to them yet, but no one can deny that they are the winners of the competition.

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“I knew that we would win all games. We are the number one team in the world. The cup can be taken away, but we are champions," Chakravarthy said on Breakfast with Champions.

After he did not hand India the trophy, Naqvi was put on the spot by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who asked him some tough questions during ACC's meeting. However, Naqvi was hell-bent on being the one to hand the Asia Cup trophy to the Men in Blue and even made a post on social media, stating that if they want the trophy then they can collect it from him in ACC's office located in Dubai. It remains to be seen when will India finally get their hands on the trophy that they deservedly won.

Chakravarthy names his toughest opponents

On the other hand, Chakravarthy also revealed the toughest batters he has faced in his career so far during the interview. He took the names of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Abhishek Sharma and jokingly added that the left-hand India batter needs to go easy on the bowlers during net sessions.

“Chris Gayle, Virat (Kohli), and of late, it’s been Abhishek Sharma — your previous guest. You should tell him to be soft on the bowlers in the nets. But touch wood, he keeps batting like this for India — maybe just not for SRH," Chakravarthy stated.

Chakravarthy picked for Australia tour

Meanwhile, Chakravarthy will now be focusing on the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia that is set to commence from October 29. This will be the spinner's first tour of Australia and he will be hoping to contribute well in the bowling department.