, Sept. 29 -- India left Dubai with the Asia Cup title secured, unbeaten through the tournament, yet the trophy itself never touched their hands.

What should have been a straightforward celebration turned into a night of contradictions - a breakthrough for Abhishek Sharma, a statement from captain Suryakumar Yadav, and another twist in the India-Pakistan rivalry.

For Abhishek, the campaign was the clearest sign yet that he belongs on the international stage. The 24-year-old opener finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, hammering 314 runs at a strike-rate of 200.

He batted without hesitation, often going after the first ball he faced. Twice he crossed fifty in the Powerplay. And yet, he said the freedom to play that way came l...