India’s victorious run in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 was powered by many stellar performances, but none more consistent and impactful than that of opener Abhishek Sharma. The young left-hander was the standout performer throughout the tournament, earning the Player of the Tournament award. However, a quirky twist followed – Abhishek cannot bring his prize car back to India, and the reason has now been revealed.
Shubman Gill in the car which Abhishek Sharma won for his POTT. ❤️
– Two besties from Punjab! 🔥#AbhishekSharma #asiacup #asiacup2025final pic.twitter.com/FmXRtQRjoK---Advertisement---— Suraj Sikarwar (@SurajSikar39084) September 30, 2025
A Stellar Asia Cup Campaign
Abhishek Sharma was in sensational form during the Asia Cup, amassing 314 runs in seven innings at a superb average of 44.86 and an eye-popping strike rate of 200. He smashed three half-centuries, peppered with 32 fours and 19 sixes, becoming a nightmare for bowlers across conditions. His explosive starts gave India the upper hand in most of their games, helping the Men in Blue cruise to the title – despite falling short in the final where he couldn’t replicate his earlier form.
For his outstanding efforts, Abhishek was rightly named the Player of the Tournament and awarded a Haval H9 SUV – a powerful, premium off-roader that made headlines as much for its specs as for the controversy that followed.
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Why Abhishek Can’t Bring His Car to India
While the Haval H9 was a flashy and fitting prize for the tournament’s top performer, there’s one problem: the car is left-hand drive, which makes it non-compliant with Indian road regulations, where right-hand drive vehicles are the standard.
As a result, Abhishek Sharma cannot register or legally drive the vehicle in India, and the car cannot be imported under standard procedures. Fans were puzzled when the news surfaced that he left the car behind – but the reason now makes perfect sense.
Will He Get a Replacement?
There’s a silver lining, though. The Haval H9 SUV is expected to launch in India by November, potentially in a right-hand drive configuration. If that happens, Abhishek may receive a new India-compliant version of the SUV at a later date. However, no official statement has been made regarding a replacement from the organizers or the manufacturer.
Trophy, Medal… and Car? Denied
Adding to the drama, it’s been reported that Team India did not receive the Asia Cup trophy after the final. ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly took the trophy with him, and Indian players were not awarded medals either. As a result, Abhishek Sharma, despite his individual brilliance, walked away without a trophy, medal, or a car he can use – a bizarre and frustrating conclusion to an otherwise brilliant tournament.
What’s Next for Abhishek Sharma?
The young opener won’t have much time to dwell on the Asia Cup aftermath. Abhishek will next be seen in action during the T20I series against Australia, starting October 29. With his form peaking and confidence soaring, the focus now shifts to continuing his purple patch on home soil.
Last Thoughts
Abhishek Sharma’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign will be remembered for his fearless stroke play and match-winning knocks. But the post-tournament chaos – lack of proper recognition, and a prize car he can’t even drive has left fans and cricket experts baffled. As the Indian cricketing ecosystem moves forward, one can only hope that such oversights don’t overshadow the achievements of players who give their all for the tricolour.
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